JNPT has awarded the contract for the deepening and widening of the JNPT channel and the Mumbai harbour channel, Phase II to the joint venture (JV) of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. and the Jan De Nul Group. As part of Phase II, the draught level of the port will be increased from 14 metres to 15 metres, thereby facilitating the berthing of larger container vessels. The areas to be dredged include the 35.5 km long access channel and various turning basins and anchorage areas. In total, more than 40 million cubic metres of sand, silt, clay and rock will be removed.