Two major agreements set to reshape India’s eastern maritime corridor will be signed today, as Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) and JSW Utkal Steel Ltd partner with the Odisha government to bolster port infrastructure at Gopalpur and Jatadhar Muhan, respectively.
Adani Ports to Transform Gopalpur into a Mega Port
- Investment: ₹15,000 crore ($1.75 billion)
- Project:Expansion of Gopalpur Port by APSEZ after acquiring majority stake from Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
- Objective: Develop Gopalpur as a mega port on the eastern coast, integrated with APSEZ’s network (Dhamra & Gangavaram ports).
- Location Advantage: Strategically situated between Paradip and Visakhapatnam.
- Current Capacity: 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa); handles dry bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, limestone, and alumina.
- Land Allotted: 500+ acres on lease; provision for additional land for future expansion.
- Connectivity: Linked to NH16 and Chennai-Howrah railway corridor.
- Revenue Share: 7.5% to Odisha government.
- Concession Period: 30 years with two possible 10-year extensions.
JSW to Build Captive Jetty at Jatadhar Muhan
- Investment: ₹3,000 crore ($351 million) by JSW Utkal Steel Ltd, a JSW Group unit.
- Purpose: Construct a captive jetty to support its integrated steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district.
- Expected Cargo Handling: 55 mtpa at full capacity.
- Royalty Payment: ₹25–35 per tonne to the state government.
- Concession Term: Linked to the lifespan of the steel plant.
- Strategic Benefit: Reduces reliance on external ports, enhances supply chain efficiency for JSW.
Strategic & Economic Impact
- Combined Investment: Over ₹18,000 crore ($2.1 billion).
- Jobs Created: Approx. 8,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- State Vision Alignment: Supports Odisha’s goal to become an industrial and logistics hub on India’s east coast.
- National Alignment: Advances India’s Blue Economy goals and the Sagarmala initiative.
- Transaction Advisor: Black Brix (Kalinth Advisors Pvt Ltd) advised the Odisha government on both deals.
These landmark agreements signal a new era of port-led development in Odisha, reinforcing its status as a rising maritime and industrial powerhouse on India’s eastern seaboard.