Adani Ports signs MoU with NMDC and Brazil-based Vale

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ), through its subsidiary Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (AGPL), has signed an MoU with NMDC Limited and Vale S.A. (Brazil), at the India–Brazil Business Forum Summit held in New Delhi.

The MoU was signed during the official visit of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Federative Republic of Brazil to India, in the presence of Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, a release here on Sunday said.

The agreement established a strategic framework for the development of an iron ore blending facility and a dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gangavaram Port.

Under the collaboration, the parties would develop, operationalise, and manage an integrated SEZ‑based ecosystem for the blending, value addition, and commercialisation of iron ore. The initiative was designed to strengthen the iron ore export value chain on India’s East Coast, while enhancing efficiency, scale, and global competitiveness in mineral processing and trade.

With this development, the capacity of Gangavaram Port would increase up to 75 MMT and become a hub for iron ore exports for India and the region, the release added.

“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building resilient, future-ready infrastructure that strengthens India’s position in global supply chains,” said Mr. Ashwani Gupta, Wholetime Director & CEO, APSEZ.

“Our partnership with NMDC and Vale will help establish a modern, efficient, and sustainable ecosystem for the iron ore sector on the East Coast. Gangavaram Port is poised to become the first port in India capable of handling Valemax vessels — the world’s largest Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs),” Mr. Gupta said.

The collaboration would involve development of an integrated iron ore blending and value-addition ecosystem within a dedicated SEZ at Gangavaram Port, establishment of fully mechanised berthing and cargo‑handling facilities capable of accommodating Valemax vessels with a carrying capacity of up to 400,000 MMT, and also end-to-end yard management, blending operations, and vessel discharge and loading to enhance supply chain efficiency.