- MoU with Gujarat Maritime Board marks a landmark step in Maersk’s $5-billion India port infrastructure plan
- Project to create 25,000 jobs, boost multimodal connectivity, and strengthen Gujarat’s role as India’s maritime gateway
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, OCT 29
In a major boost to India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem, APM Terminals Pipavav (Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Maritime Board to expand Pipavav Port with an investment commitment of ₹17,000 crore (USD 2 billion).
The agreement was signed in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and Robert Maersk Uggla, Chair of A.P. Moller – Maersk, underscoring the deepening partnership between Gujarat and one of the world’s leading integrated logistics groups.
The high-profile ceremony also saw participation from M.K. Das, Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat; S.S. Rathore, Chairman, Gujarat Maritime Board; and Remya Mohan, CEO (In-charge), GMB. Representing Maersk and APM Terminals were Jon Goldner, Chief Executive, APM Terminals Asia & Middle East; Mr. Rene Pedersen, Group Chief Representative Officer; Girish Aggarwal, Managing Director, Gujarat Pipavav Port; and Vivek Sharma, Head of Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs (India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka).
“This investment plan is not just about expanding Pipavav Port—it’s about unlocking new opportunities for Gujarat, India, and global trade,” said Jon Goldner, Chief Executive, APM Terminals Asia & Middle East.
“We are building the capacity, resilience, and sustainability needed to serve India’s economy for decades to come, supporting the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
Echoing this sentiment, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “Over the past 30 years, Pipavav Port has been a model of public–private partnership. This new investment reflects strong confidence in Gujarat’s infrastructure, policy framework, and governance. It will strengthen Gujarat’s position as India’s maritime gateway and create new employment opportunities aligned with our Viksit Gujarat vision.”
Catalyst for Growth and Connectivity
The proposed expansion—part of Maersk’s $5-billion India investment roadmap—will significantly enhance Pipavav’s handling capacity for containers, liquid and RoRo cargo, and strengthen connectivity with the Dedicated Freight Corridor and national logistics network.
Planned infrastructure upgrades include:
- Expanded container, liquid, and bulk cargo handling capacity
- Deeper waterfront and modern equipment
- Strengthened rail and road integration for seamless multimodal transport
- Advanced storage and warehousing facilities
- Green growth initiatives to make Pipavav one of India’s most sustainable ports
Expected to generate 25,000 new direct and indirect jobs, the expansion will also drive industrial growth in sectors such as automobiles, agri-commodities, textiles, and energy—fuelling prosperity across Saurashtra and western India.
Aligned with India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and Gujarat’s Viksit Gujarat@2047 roadmap, the project reaffirms Pipavav’s position among the top-ranked ports globally, consistently recognised by the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index.
