APSEZ sets up India’s first Port of Refuge to boost maritime safety

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) operationalises India’s first Port of Refuge, enhancing emergency response, salvage, pollution control and firefighting capabilities along both the west and east coasts with international partners SMIT Salvage and MERC.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has operationalised India’s first Port of Refuge, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s maritime emergency response infrastructure. The initiative addresses a long-standing gap in handling vessels in distress and maritime emergencies along India’s extensive coastline.

A Port of Refuge is a designated location where ships facing emergencies can seek shelter to stabilise conditions, safeguard lives and minimise environmental damage. While such systems are standard in major maritime nations, India had not formalised such a framework until now.

APSEZ has identified two strategic locations for this facility. Dighi Port on the west coast will support shipping traffic across the Arabian Sea and routes to the Persian Gulf, while Gopalpur Port on the east coast will cater to vessels operating in the Bay of Bengal and routes towards the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors.

These facilities will offer critical services including salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment and coordinated emergency response through specialised equipment and trained teams. The initiative is supported by a tripartite memorandum of understanding with global salvage and emergency response firm SMIT Salvage, part of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC). The collaboration is aimed at bringing international expertise and ensuring coordinated and timely action during maritime incidents.

APSEZ CEO Ashwani Gupta said the move represents a major advancement in India’s maritime safety ecosystem, emphasising that ports not only connect economies but must also prioritise the protection of lives and the environment.

Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan highlighted that adopting a standardised Port of Refuge framework would enable more efficient handling of maritime emergencies, ensuring better protection of cargo, crew and coastal ecosystems.

SMIT Salvage Managing Director Richard Janssen noted that providing a Port of Refuge is crucial in salvage operations, enabling faster and safer handling of distressed vessels while ensuring environmental compliance in managing hazardous materials and firefighting residues.

India, with a coastline of over 11,000 kilometres and its strategic position along key global shipping routes, is expected to benefit significantly from this development. The initiative aligns with international maritime conventions and is set to enhance the country’s role in global shipping while improving preparedness for maritime risks.

APSEZ, part of the Adani Group, currently handles a substantial share of India’s port cargo volumes and operates a network of ports, logistics parks, warehouses and transportation services. The company aims to further strengthen its integrated logistics capabilities while supporting safe and sustainable maritime operations.