Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has operationalised India’s first Port of Refuge, addressing a significant gap in the country’s maritime emergency infrastructure. This initiative aims to create a structured mechanism to handle maritime emergencies and vessels in distress.
A Port of Refuge, as defined by the International Maritime Organization, is a designated location where ships can seek shelter to stabilise conditions, protect life, and limit environmental damage. While such frameworks are standard in major maritime economies, India had not formalised one until now. With a coastline of over 11,000 kilometres and located along key global shipping routes, India seeks to strengthen its emergency response capabilities through this development.
APSEZ will designate two sites as Ports of Refuge: Dighi Port on the west coast, supporting traffic across the Arabian Sea and routes to the Persian Gulf, and Gopalpur Port on the east coast, serving vessels in the Bay of Bengal and routes towards the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors. These facilities will provide salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment, and emergency coordination services through specialised equipment and trained response teams.
The initiative is backed by a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SMIT Salvage, the salvage and emergency response division of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis), and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC), bringing global expertise and coordinated response capability. This capability will support vessels insured under the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, aligning with global maritime risk and liability frameworks.
“This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening India’s maritime safety ecosystem,” said Mr Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer (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.”
The initiative aligns with international maritime conventions, enhancing safety, environmental protection, and India’s role in global shipping corridors. By establishing a formal Port of Refuge framework, APSEZ aims to improve emergency response readiness and strengthen India’s position in global maritime trade.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).