Sign in
Dubai-based port operator and the Indian state of Gujarat have inked agreements to invest some USD 3 bn in ports and logistics infrastructure, according to a statement released last week. The funds will be funneled towards building new ports, terminals and economic zones in a bid to boost Gujarat’s trade while leveraging existing infrastructure, the statement notes.
The details: The investments will cover the development multi-purpose deep-draft ports in South Gujarat and around the western coast of the state towards Kutch, the establishment of special economic zones in Jamnagar and Kutch, and the development of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCT) and Private Freight Stations at Dahej, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bedi, and Morbi. DP World has also concluded an agreement with Gujarat Maritime Board to collaborate on identifying locations for additional ports in the state, the statement notes.
DP World already has a presence in Gujarat: The company’s operations in the state include a container terminal in Mundra, railway-connected private freight terminals at Ahmedabad and Hazira, cold storage facilities in Surat and Bharuch, freight forwarding offices in Ahmedabad and Gandhidham, and an express cargo service covering the state. DP World’s Unifeeder Group runs a weekly service connecting the state to international ports and the company recently kicked off a scheduled rail freight service — dubbed SARAL — connecting traders in South Gujarat to markets in the North Capital Region, the statement notes.
And there’s more to come: “We are very committed to India, where we have been operating for nearly 20 years. In that time, we invested almost USD 2.5 bn and we are going to invest more in the next 3 years in these projects,” DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said.
ICYMI- DP World and India’s Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) inked a concession agreement for a new mega container terminal at Kandla, Gujarat back in August 2023. The agreement — valued at USD 510 mn — involves the operation, development, and maintenance of the new terminal through a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP).
