APSEZ Operationalizes India's First Port of Refuge to Boost Maritime Safety
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has operationalized India's first Port of Refuge (PoR), addressing a longstanding gap in maritime emergency infrastructure. The initiative aims to create a structured mechanism to handle maritime emergencies and vessels in distress.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) brings global expertise and coordinated response capability.
APSEZ will designate two sites as PoR: Dighi Port on the west coast and Gopalpur Port on the east coast. The facilities will provide salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment, and emergency coordination services.
“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), APSEZ.
The initiative is aligned with international maritime conventions, enhancing safety, environmental protection and India's role in global shipping corridors.
“The adoption of a standardized Port of Refuge framework will enable more coordinated and timely action during maritime incidents, ensuring effective protection of life, cargo, and the coastal environment," said Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General (DG) of Shipping.
Mr. Richard Janssen, Managing Director (MD), SMIT Salvage (Boskalis), stated that the initiative will ensure faster, safer, and coordinated emergency response along India's key shipping routes.
About APSEZ
APSEZ, part of the Adani Group, is an integrated transport utility. The company operates 15 ports and terminals across India and has a current cargo handling capacity of 633 million tonnes per annum, commanding approximately 28% of India's total port volumes.
About SMIT (Boskalis Group)
SMIT Salvage provides emergency response, salvage and wreck removal services globally.
About MERC
The Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC) facilitates rapid response to vessels in distress and supports salvage operations, pollution response, and wreck removal.
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