Ahmedabad, March 27 (NationPress) Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has officially launched India’s inaugural Port of Refuge (PoR), effectively addressing a significant gap in the nation's maritime emergency infrastructure. This initiative establishes a systematic approach to manage maritime crises and support vessels in distress.

The project is supported by a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) involving SMIT Salvage, the emergency response division of Royal Boskalis Westminster NV (Boskalis), and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC), which brings in global expertise and coordinated response capabilities.

A PoR, as defined by the International Maritime Organisation, is a designated site where vessels can seek shelter to stabilize conditions, safeguard lives, and minimize environmental damage.

While such frameworks are common in prominent maritime nations, India has not formalized one until now.

This move is particularly significant given India’s extensive coastline of over 11,000 kilometers, situated along vital global shipping routes. The APSEZ, recognized as India’s largest and the world’s fastest-growing integrated transport utility, handles approximately 27 percent of the country's port cargo volumes.

According to Ashwani Gupta, APSEZ's Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), “This milestone signifies a pivotal advancement in enhancing India’s maritime safety framework.”

“Ports are crucial for economic connectivity — however, a Port of Refuge is vital for saving lives. By creating dedicated PoR facilities, we are boosting India’s maritime readiness and establishing a new standard for exceptional coastal safety. At APSEZ, we believe that world-class infrastructure must be paired with world-class accountability,” Gupta stated.

APSEZ will identify two locations as PoR: Dighi Port on the western coast, which will facilitate traffic across the Arabian Sea and toward the Persian Gulf, and Gopalpur Port on the eastern coast, catering to vessels in the Bay of Bengal and routes leading to the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest maritime trade corridors globally.

The facilities will offer services such as salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment, and emergency coordination through expert teams and specialized equipment.

Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, remarked, “This initiative is an essential step in fortifying India’s maritime preparedness and emergency response capabilities. Implementing a standardized Port of Refuge framework will facilitate more organized and timely actions during maritime emergencies, ensuring the effective protection of life, cargo, and the coastal environment.”

The initiative aligns with international maritime conventions, enhancing safety, environmental protection, and India's role within global shipping routes.

“Providing a Port of Refuge during a salvage operation is crucial to handle the vessel and its cargo swiftly and professionally, ensuring that affected cargo and firefighting water are managed according to applicable legislation,” noted Richard Janssen, Managing Director of SMIT Salvage (Boskalis).

SMIT Salvage is enthusiastic about contributing its global best-in-class salvage expertise to ensure a quicker, safer, and more coordinated emergency response along India’s critical shipping lanes.