PARADIP: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is set to strengthen its presence on India’s eastern coast with a proposed ₹981.96-crore investment to develop and operate the CQ-1 and CQ-2 dry bulk berths at Paradip Port.
APSEZ has emerged as the highest bidder in the royalty-based tender for the two berths, quoting a royalty of ₹122.30 per tonne. The company is expected to receive the concession to operate the facilities for 30 years, according to a report.
The project will be developed under the common-user public-private partnership (PPP) model and is expected to create significant additional capacity for handling dry bulk commodities. The two berths will have a combined annual cargo-handling capacity of approximately 18 million tonnes, catering to commodities including coal, minerals and other dry bulk cargo.
The proposed facilities will feature a combined berth length of 485 metres and a 15-metre water depth, enabling the handling of large vessels and facilitating more efficient cargo operations. The development will also include a storage area of around 400,000 square metres, along with mechanised cargo-handling systems designed to enhance productivity and reduce vessel turnaround time.
Strategic Eastern Coast Expansion
The proposed project would mark APSEZ’s entry into Paradip Port, one of India’s largest major ports and a crucial gateway for bulk cargo on the eastern seaboard. Paradip has a strong presence in the handling of dry bulk commodities and plays a vital role in serving industries across the eastern and central regions of the country.
For APSEZ, the addition of Paradip would further strengthen an already extensive eastern India network. The company operates ports and terminals across the region, including Dhamra, Gopalpur, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Kattupalli, Ennore, Karaikal and Haldia.
With Paradip strategically positioned to serve the mineral-rich hinterland of eastern and central India, the new facilities could provide APSEZ with an additional platform to capture and efficiently manage growing cargo flows across the region.
APSEZ Targets 1 Billion Tonnes by 2030
APSEZ has established itself as one of India’s largest integrated port and logistics operators, handling more than 500 million tonnes of cargo in FY2025-26. The company has set an ambitious long-term objective of increasing its annual cargo-handling capacity to 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
The Paradip project could therefore become another important building block in APSEZ’s broader expansion strategy, particularly in the dry bulk segment.
Boost for Paradip’s Dry Bulk Infrastructure
For Paradip Port, the proposed investment is expected to bring additional mechanised cargo-handling capacity and private-sector operational expertise. The modern infrastructure could improve cargo evacuation, enhance berth productivity and help reduce vessel turnaround times.
The project is also expected to support Paradip’s growing importance in India’s bulk commodity supply chain by providing additional capacity to handle rising volumes of coal, minerals and other dry bulk cargoes.
With APSEZ poised to add Paradip to its growing portfolio, the development is likely to strengthen the company’s position across India’s eastern maritime corridor while adding another significant private-sector player to the competitive landscape for cargo-handling opportunities at the country’s major ports.
