Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), via its subsidiary Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (AGPL), has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with government-owned NMDC Limited and Vale Brazil. The MoU, inked at the India–Brazil Business Forum Summit, outlines plans for an iron ore blending facility and a dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gangavaram Port. This agreement was formalized during the visit of Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in attendance, emphasizing the deepening India–Brazil strategic partnership.
“This collaboration signifies a joint dedication to constructing resilient, future-oriented infrastructure that bolsters India’s standing in global supply chains,” stated Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ. By merging top-notch mineral logistics with advanced port capabilities, the initiative aims to meet industry demands while contributing to the country’s overall economic advancement.
As part of this partnership, the involved parties will collaborate on establishing an integrated SEZ-based ecosystem for iron ore blending, value addition, and commercialization. This endeavor is crafted to fortify the iron ore export value chain on India’s eastern coast, elevating efficiency, scale, and global competitiveness in mineral processing and trade. The development is set to boost Gangavaram Port’s capacity to 75 MMT, positioning it as a key hub for iron ore exports in India and the surrounding region.
“Our alliance with NMDC and Vale is set to create a modern, effective, and sustainable environment for the iron ore sector on the East Coast. Gangavaram Port is on track to become India’s first port capable of handling Valemax vessels — the world’s largest Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs),” Gupta highlighted. The collaboration will encompass the establishment of an integrated iron ore blending and value-addition ecosystem within a dedicated SEZ at Gangavaram Port, alongside the creation of fully mechanized berthing and cargo-handling facilities capable of hosting Valemax vessels with a capacity of up to 400,000 MMT.
