Mumbai is one of the world’s largest cities and port capacity is struggling to keep pace with growth. The anchorage can be used for about nine months of the year with restricted use during the monsoon season. Cargo is transhipped by lighter for smaller terminals around the harbour. Much of this is dry bulk such as coal and the demand is increasing.

Beckett Rankine studied the marine conditions and operational parameters for lighterage in Mumbai Harbour. Methods were identified for improving the logistics supply chain including the transit of barges in the rivers and creeks around the harbour to avoid bottlenecks throughout the system.

Coal and other dry bulk materials are commonly handled mid-stream in Mumbai Harbour. Other cargoes including containers can also be transhipped, although the motions between the mother vessel and barge become more critical with greater precision required to maintain adequate productivity.