Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has launched India’s first Port of Refuge (PoR), marking a major step towards strengthening the country’s maritime safety ecosystem. The initiative fills a long-standing gap by establishing a structured system to assist vessels in distress and respond to emergencies at sea.
A tripartite agreement with SMIT Salvage, part of Royal Boskalis Westminster NV, and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC) supports the project. This collaboration ensures access to international expertise and coordinated emergency response capabilities.
A Port of Refuge, as defined by the International Maritime Organisation, is also a designated location where ships can seek shelter to stabilise conditions, protect lives and minimise environmental damage.
The development is significant as India, with a coastline exceeding 11,000 kilometres and located along key global shipping routes, strengthens its emergency response infrastructure.
“This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening India’s maritime safety ecosystem,” said APSEZ Whole-time Director and CEO Ashwani Gupta.
He added, “Ports connect economies, but a Port of Refuge protects lives. By establishing dedicated PoR infrastructure, we are elevating India’s maritime preparedness and setting a new benchmark for world-class coastal safety. At APSEZ, we believe world-class infrastructure must be matched by world-class responsibility.”
The initiative designates two ports. Dighi Port on the west coast will cater to traffic across the Arabian Sea and routes towards the Persian Gulf. Gopalpur Port on the east coast will serve vessels in the Bay of Bengal and routes leading to the Malacca Strait.
Services and Capabilities
The facilities will provide services such as salvage operations, wreck removal, firefighting, pollution control and coordinated emergency response through specialised equipment and trained teams.
“The initiative marks an important step in strengthening India’s maritime preparedness and emergency response capacity. The adoption of a standardised 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 Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan.
The initiative also aligns with global maritime conventions and enhances India’s role in international shipping corridors.
“Providing a Port of Refuge to a casualty is critical in a salvage operation to ensure that the vessel and her cargo are dealt with swiftly and professionally and that the affected cargo and fire-fighting water are treated and disposed of in accordance with the applicable legislation,” said Richard Janssen of SMIT Salvage.
The move reflects a broader push to combine world-class infrastructure with responsible maritime practices while strengthening coastal safety.
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