Adani ports & sez has received regulatory approval for a significant corporate restructuring, with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) sanctioning the merger of its wholly owned subsidiary. The approval marks a key milestone in the company's organizational consolidation efforts.

NCLT Sanctions Amalgamation Scheme

The Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal, Ahmedabad Bench, has sanctioned the scheme of amalgamation between Adani Harbour Services Limited and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited through an order passed on April 1, 2026. The merger has been approved under Sections 230 to 232 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

Corporate Structure Consolidation

Adani Harbour Services Limited, which operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, will be merged into the parent company through this amalgamation scheme. The company had previously informed the stock exchanges about the merger process through a communication dated November 4, 2025.

Regulatory Compliance

The company has fulfilled its disclosure obligations under Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, by informing both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited about the NCLT approval. Company Secretary Kamlesh Bhagia signed the regulatory filing, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

This merger represents a strategic consolidation move that will integrate the harbour services operations directly within the main entity, potentially streamlining operations and enhancing organizational efficiency within the ports and logistics business framework.

Adani Ports & SEZ (APSEZ) has operationalized India's first Port of Refuge (PoR), addressing a long-standing gap in maritime emergency infrastructure and creating a structured mechanism to handle maritime emergencies and vessels in distress.

Strategic Partnership and Implementation

The initiative is backed by a tripartite memorandum of understanding with SMIT Salvage, the salvage and emergency response division of Royal Boskalis Westminster NV, and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC). This collaboration brings global expertise and coordinated response capability to India's maritime safety framework.

Designated Port Locations

APSEZ will designate two strategic sites as Port of Refuge facilities. Dighi Port on the west coast will support traffic across the Arabian Sea and routes to the Persian Gulf, while Gopalpur Port on the east coast will serve vessels in the Bay of Bengal and routes towards the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest maritime trade corridors.

Leadership Perspectives

"This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening India's maritime safety ecosystem," said Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ. "Ports connect economies—but a Port of Refuge protects lives. By establishing dedicated PoR infrastructure, we are elevating India's maritime preparedness and setting a new benchmark for world-class coastal safety."

Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, emphasized the initiative's importance in strengthening maritime preparedness and emergency response capacity. Richard Janssen, Managing Director of SMIT Salvage, highlighted the collaboration's role in bringing global best-in-class salvage capability to ensure faster, safer, and coordinated emergency response along India's key shipping routes.

Maritime Safety Enhancement

As defined by the International Maritime Organization, a Port of Refuge is a designated location where ships can seek shelter to stabilize conditions, protect life and limit environmental damage. The facilities will provide salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment and emergency coordination services through specialized equipment and trained response teams.

This development positions India at the forefront of maritime safety innovation, aligning with international maritime conventions and enhancing the country's role in global shipping corridors. With India's coastline spanning over 11,000 kilometers and its strategic location along key global shipping routes, this initiative significantly strengthens the nation's emergency response capabilities.