In a landmark move to bolster India’s position in global mineral trade, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government-owned NMDC Limited and Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A. The agreement, signed through Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (AGPL), aims to create a cutting-edge SEZ-based ecosystem at Gangavaram Port dedicated to iron ore blending and value addition.
The pact was formalized during the India-Brazil Business Forum Summit, coinciding with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s official visit to India. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal graced the occasion, underscoring the deepening strategic ties between the two nations.
APSEZ’s Full-Time Director and CEO Ashwini Gupta highlighted the collaboration as a forward-looking commitment to building resilient infrastructure for global supply chains. ‘By integrating high-quality mineral logistics with advanced port capabilities, we’re not just meeting industry demands but fueling India’s broader economic growth,’ Gupta stated.
Under the MoU, an integrated ecosystem will be developed, operated, and managed at Gangavaram Port. This will encompass iron ore blending, value addition processes, and commercialization, strengthening the iron ore export value chain on India’s east coast. The initiative promises enhanced efficiency, scale, and global competitiveness in mineral processing and trade.
Gangavaram Port’s capacity will surge to 75 million metric tons (MMT), positioning it as a premier iron ore export hub for India and the region. The partnership with NMDC and Vale will establish a modern, efficient, and sustainable ecosystem for the east coast iron ore sector.
Pioneering as India’s first port to handle ‘Valemax’ vessels—the world’s largest Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) with up to 400,000 DWT capacity—Gangavaram will feature fully mechanized berthing, cargo handling, end-to-end yard management, blending operations, and swift ship loading-unloading. These upgrades will dramatically improve supply chain efficiency, setting new benchmarks in maritime logistics.