Ahmedabad, Feb 18 (NationPress) Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has partnered with the Port of Marseille Fos, which stands as France’s leading port and a key gateway in the Mediterranean. This collaboration, announced on Wednesday, aims to enhance cooperation in trade facilitation, port innovation, and the energy transition, thereby significantly improving India-Europe trade connectivity.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines the establishment of an IMEC Ports Club to facilitate coordination among critical ports along the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This initiative is designed to strengthen the connectivity between India and the European Union.

Unveiled during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the IMEC is a vast 6,000-km multimodal connectivity project that links India and Europe through integrated maritime routes, rail networks, digital systems, and clean-energy pathways.

According to Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, "India has already taken a leadership role in advancing this corridor, and with the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, trade among the participating nations is poised for significant growth." He added that the ports in Hazira and Mundra on India’s western coast have already created a seamless pathway across the initial and middle segments of the corridor.

Gupta continued, "With this MoU with the Port of Marseille Fos in France, we have now successfully linked the final leg to Europe. This partnership will greatly expedite the exchange of information and materials among all participating nations, thereby enhancing economic cooperation and supply-chain resilience."

This collaboration finalizes the IMEC pathway for India-EU trade, which has been reinforced by the FTA between India and the EU, described as ‘the mother of all deals’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The MoU was formalized during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, highlighting the growing India-France strategic partnership.

"We are excited to enhance our partnership with APSEZ at a pivotal moment when the IMEC corridor is entering a crucial phase. India and Marseille serve as the two extremities of this future trade backbone, placing both ports in a significant position to structure and energize this new route," stated Herve Martel, CEO of the Port of Marseille Fos.

Martel further added, "Together, we aim to mobilize and unify the involved ports, advocating for a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable connection between our regions."