New Mangalore Port Authority is mentioned in the manuscripts of the Great Library of Alexandria, Egypt. Roman history describes Mangalore as a Port on the mouth of the river Netras (Netravati) as the old port was located at the confluence of Gurpur and Netravati rivers. Greek drama also alludes to Mangalore described as Mangala. Ptolemy, the astronomer and famous explorer of the 2nd century makes a mention of Mangalore in his travelogue. During the time of Vijayanagara Empire, Arab traders had established a flourishing trade in silk and spices between Mangalore and West Asia and even now is known as the Gateway of Karnataka.

New Mangalore Port Authority Harbour Project was set up in the year 1962. The maritime works on the project commenced in 1968. The New Mangalore Port, the only Major Port of Karnataka was declared as the 9th Major Port on 4th May 1974 and was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi on 11th January 1975. The provisions of the Major Port Trust Act 1963 were applied to NMPT with effect from 1.4.1980. Since then the Port has been functioning as a centre of activities for Importers and Exporters of this region.

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