The MoU was signed at the India-Brazil Business Forum Summit in New Delhi during the official visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the company said in a statement.
Under the agreement, the three parties will jointly develop, operationalize and manage an SEZ-based iron ore blending, value addition and commercialization ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen the iron ore export value chain on India’s east coast by improving efficiency, scale and global competitiveness in mineral processing and trading.
The proposed development is expected to increase the capacity of Gangavaram port to 75 million tonnes, making it a major iron ore export hub for India and the wider region.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building resilient, future-proof infrastructure that strengthens India’s position in global supply chains,” said Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO of APSEZ.
“By integrating high-quality mineral logistics with advanced port capabilities, we are supporting the industry’s demands while contributing to the country’s broader economic growth. Our partnership with NMDC and Vale will help create a modern, efficient and sustainable ecosystem for the east coast iron ore sector.”
“Gangavaram Port is set to become the first port in India to handle Valemax ships – the world’s largest Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs),” he added.
The collaboration includes the development of a fully integrated ecosystem for blending and value addition to iron ore within a dedicated SEZ at Gangavaram Port, along with mechanized berthing and cargo handling facilities that can accommodate Valemax vessels with a deadweight of up to 400,000 tonnes. It also includes end-to-end yard management, mixing operations and vessel loading and unloading to improve supply chain efficiency.
The statement said the project will strengthen Gangavaram’s position as a consolidated iron ore export hub and promote port-led industrial growth, thereby strengthening India’s emergence as a competitive and future-proof maritime trade hub.
APSEZ, part of the diversified Adani Group, operates 15 ports and terminals on the west, south and east coasts of India and has a current cargo handling capacity of 633 million tonnes per annum, accounting for approximately 28 percent of the country’s total port volumes. The company aims for throughput of 1 billion tons by 2030.
Published on February 22, 2026
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