Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 09: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has won the Letter of Award for two dry bulk berths at Paradip Port, Odisha. The company emerged as the highest bidder for the project. This adds 18 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) to APSEZ’s capacity. Its total portfolio now stands at 671 MMTPA. The move supports APSEZ’s goal of handling 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
The project will run under a 30-year concession. It follows the Public-Private Partnership model. APSEZ will build and operate the CQ-I and CQ-II berths. These will feature mechanised cargo handling systems. The berths will also have deep drafts and large storage facilities.
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, called it a strategic gain. “The Paradip concession strengthens our East Coast presence,” he said. It also expands access to Odisha’s mineral-rich hinterland. With this addition, APSEZ now operates 16 ports and terminals. Its network spans India’s 11,000-km coastline.
Paradip is India’s second-largest major port. It sits amid a mineral-rich hinterland and major steel plants. The new terminal will boost handling of coal and limestone. It will also strengthen APSEZ’s reach into eastern and central India’s industrial belt.
The expansion addresses rising congestion at East Coast ports. Steel sector growth and coal demand are driving this need. The project is expected to ease regional capacity bottlenecks. It should also support broader industrial growth in the region.
