Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has established India’s inaugural Port of Refuge (PoR) to address longstanding deficiencies in maritime emergency infrastructure. This strategic initiative is expected to enhance the country’s emergency response capabilities and align with international maritime conventions. The PoR provides designated locations for vessels in distress to seek shelter, thereby safeguarding life and minimizing environmental damage.
Two sites have been designated as Ports of Refuge: Dighi Port on the west coast and Gopalpur Port on the east coast. These ports aim to facilitate emergency services such as salvage operations, firefighting, and pollution containment, thereby improving the overall safety of maritime operations along India’s extensive coastline. The initiative is supported by a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SMIT Salvage and the Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC), lending global expertise and fostering coordinated responses to maritime incidents.
Mr. Ashwani Gupta, CEO of APSEZ, emphasized the significance of this initiative in enhancing India’s maritime safety ecosystem by promoting a structured and responsible approach to emergency situations. The collaboration is seen as a vital step in improving India’s emergency preparedness in maritime trade, highlighting the commitment to environmental protection and safety in the bustling shipping corridors.
