Adani Ports & SEZ has entered into a strategic partnership with NMDC Limited and Vale S.A. (Brazil) to develop a comprehensive iron ore blending facility at Gangavaram Port. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on February 21, 2026, during the India-Brazil Business Forum Summit in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in India-Brazil strategic cooperation.

High-Level Strategic Partnership

The MoU signing ceremony took place during the official visit of H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Federative Republic of Brazil to India, with Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, present at the event. This high-level endorsement underscores the strategic importance of the collaboration in strengthening bilateral trade relations between India and Brazil.

Project Scope and Infrastructure Development

The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for developing an integrated iron ore ecosystem at Gangavaram Port. The collaboration encompasses multiple strategic components designed to transform the port into a major iron ore hub.

The development will establish Gangavaram Port as India's first port capable of handling Valemax vessels, the world's largest Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs). This capability positions the port as a strategic gateway for global iron ore trade and enhances India's competitiveness in the international minerals market.

Operational Excellence and Technology Integration

The collaboration will implement state-of-the-art infrastructure and operational systems to ensure maximum efficiency and global competitiveness. The project includes:

• Development of fully mechanized berthing and cargo-handling facilities
• End-to-end yard management systems
• Advanced blending operations capabilities
• Integrated vessel discharge and loading facilities
• Comprehensive supply chain optimization

Mr. Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO of APSEZ, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership: "This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building resilient, future-ready infrastructure that strengthens India's position in global supply chains. By integrating high-quality mineral logistics with advanced port capabilities, we are supporting industry requirements while contributing to the country's broader economic growth."

Strategic Impact on Regional Trade

The partnership is designed to strengthen the iron ore export value chain on India's East Coast while creating a consolidated export hub for the region. The initiative will establish Gangavaram as a center for port-led industrial growth, supporting both domestic and international trade requirements.

The collaboration leverages APSEZ's comprehensive logistics capabilities, including its network of 15 strategically located ports and terminals, diversified marine fleet of 127 vessels, and integrated logistics infrastructure comprising 12 multi-modal logistics parks and 3.1 million sq. ft. of warehouses.

Market Position and Future Outlook

With current cargo handling capacity of 633 million tonnes per annum, APSEZ commands approximately 28% of India's total port volumes and targets 1 billion tonnes throughput by 2030. The company has been recognized among the Top 5% of global transportation firms in the 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, with five ports featuring in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index 2024.

This strategic partnership with NMDC and Vale Brazil reinforces APSEZ's position as India's preeminent integrated logistics solutions provider and supports the country's emergence as a competitive, future-ready maritime hub in the global iron ore trade sector.

Adani Ports & SEZ has entered into a strategic partnership with Port of Marseille Fos to strengthen India-Europe trade connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Memorandum of Understanding signed on February 18, 2026, marks a significant milestone in creating a comprehensive multimodal trade pathway between India and the European Union.

Strategic IMEC Partnership Details

The partnership proposes the creation of an IMEC Ports Club to strengthen coordination among key ports along the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor route. This collaboration completes the IMEC pathway for India-EU trade, which has been enhanced by the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU.

The MoU was signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the expanding India-France strategic partnership. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, represents a comprehensive multimodal connectivity initiative linking India and Europe through integrated maritime routes, rail networks, digital systems and clean-energy pathways.

Key Focus Areas of Collaboration

The partnership encompasses four primary areas of cooperation designed to enhance trade facilitation and port innovation:

• IMEC Route Promotion: Joint campaigns, participation in international trade fairs and roadshows, and targeted B2B engagements to establish the corridor as a sustainable, secure, and competitive alternative for Eurasian trade flows
• Technical Exchange: Capacity building in port digitalization, smart-port platforms, data interoperability, cybersecurity, alternative fuels, shore power supply and low-carbon bunkering
• Green Maritime Corridor: Development of the Mundra-Marseille Fos Green Maritime Corridor focusing on sustainable shipping practices
• IMEC Ports Club: Co-founding an institutional framework for dialogue among corridor ports and coordinating policy discussions and investment frameworks

Leadership Perspectives

Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO of APSEZ, emphasized India's leadership role in advancing the corridor. He noted that with the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, trade between participating countries is expected to grow significantly. The partnership connects APSEZ's western coast ports at Hazira and Mundra with the European gateway through Marseille Fos.

Hervé Martel, CEO of the Port of Marseille Fos, highlighted the strategic timing of the partnership as the IMEC corridor enters a decisive phase. He emphasized the responsibility of both ports in structuring and energizing the new trade route, with plans to mobilize and federate involved ports while advocating for more efficient, resilient and sustainable regional connections.

Port Infrastructure and Capabilities

APSEZ operates as an integrated transport utility across cargo origination through its International Freight Network, port handling, rail transport, multi-modal logistics parks, warehousing, and final delivery via road transport. This comprehensive shore-to-door capability is supported by cutting-edge digital infrastructure and AI-driven optimization.

Port of Marseille Fos Profile

The Port of Marseille Fos serves as France's leading maritime gateway and a strategic Mediterranean hub, handling 74 million tonnes of cargo annually with nearly 10,000 vessel calls each year. Its 10,400-hectare industrial and logistics zone ranks among Europe's largest, hosting major global players across liquid and dry bulk, containers, Ro-Ro, energy, industry, and ship repair operations.

The port's multimodal connectivity through rail, river, road and pipelines provides direct access to French and European hinterlands, with robust services linking the Mediterranean to Northern Europe. Environmental excellence remains central to its strategy, with significant investments planned for decarbonization, shore-power capabilities, and green industrial ecosystem development.