This study assesses the optimal of two layouts to develop new terminal to handle coastal vessels and port crafts at JNPT. The new terminal is planned to handle liquid and general cargo vessels up to 10 m draft and port craft vessels up to 5 m draft. The site is located adjacent to the existing ferry terminal and parallel to the fourth container terminal. L-shaped jetty of 315 × 30 m and 150 × 15 m for the coastal vessels and port craft vessels in alternative I. Alternative II is parallel to fourth container terminal having dimensions 270 × 30 along with two approach jetties of dimension 70 m × 15 m. The weathered basalt rock are found from (−)1.0 m to −3.0 m in Alternative II and from −11.0 to (−)13.0 m CD in alternative 1. Considering the soil profile, founding level shall be five times the pile diameter in alternative II and 1.5 D in alternative I. The berth is designed for LHM 550 type cranes. The stitch drilling to dredge the trench in alternative II before construction of berth. The Deck Top level is (+)7.00 m in both alternatives and the backup area has to be reclaimed up to the Deck top level. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019.