The Odisha government struck an agreement with Gopalpur Port for the construction and expansion of the facility in Ganjam district. Following the signing of the MoU, the Odisha government handed over more than 119 acres of land to Gopalpur Port.

Padmalochan Roul, Director, Ports and Inland Waterway Transport, Commerce and Transport Department, and Janardan Rao, CEO, Gopalpur Port Private Limited, signed the MoU in the presence of Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu.

Gopalpur Port was operated by Odisha government as a seasonal lighterage Port from 1986-87. The port was awarded to Gopalpur Ports Private Limited for transforming it into an all-weather direct berthing port in PPP mode.

The Concession Agreement between Odisha government and Gopalpur Ports Private Limited was signed on September 14, 2006.