Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), through its subsidiary Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (AGPL), has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with NMDC Limited and Vale SA. of Brazil to develop an iron ore blending facility and a dedicated Special Economic Zone at Gangavaram Port. The agreement was formalised during the India–Brazil Business Forum in New Delhi, in the presence of senior government representatives from both countries.
The collaboration aims to create an integrated ecosystem for blending, value addition and export of iron ore from India’s East Coast. The partners will jointly plan, develop and operate infrastructure within a dedicated SEZ at Gangavaram Port, strengthening supply chain efficiency and enhancing India’s competitiveness in global mineral trade. With the proposed expansion, Gangavaram Port’s handling capacity is expected to increase to about 75 million tonnes per annum.
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of APSEZ, said the partnership reflects a shared focus on building efficient infrastructure to support industry and trade. He added that combining advanced port capabilities with mineral logistics expertise will help establish a modern system for iron ore processing and exports, strengthening India’s position in global supply chains.
The project includes mechanised berthing and cargo handling systems designed to accommodate Valemax vessels, among the largest very large ore carriers in operation. It also involves development of yard management systems, blending operations and streamlined loading and discharge facilities to improve turnaround times and reduce logistics costs.
The partnership is expected to position Gangavaram Port as a major hub for iron ore exports, supporting port-led industrial growth in the region and expanding trade links between India and Brazil. The initiative also reflects growing cooperation between Indian and Brazilian companies in the minerals sector.
APSEZ, part of the Adani Group, operates an integrated logistics network spanning ports, rail transport, multimodal logistics parks, warehousing and last-mile delivery. The company manages 15 ports and terminals across India with a combined capacity of more than 600 million tonnes per year and aims to reach 1 billion tonnes of cargo throughput by 2030.
NMDC Limited is India’s largest iron ore producer, while Vale SA. is one of the world’s leading mining companies. Together with APSEZ, the partners plan to create a streamlined export ecosystem that supports efficient mineral handling, value addition and global trade from India’s eastern seaboard.
