TiL to Acquire 49% Stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), the terminal arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, have signed a definitive agreement for TiL to acquire a 49 percent stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL), the concessionaire of Vizhinjam port. The transaction values the port at an enterprise value of USD 2.85 billion, with TiL investing USD 1.397 billion for its proportionate share.
Largest Foreign Private Investment in Indian Ports
The companies stated that this partnership represents the single largest foreign private investment in Indian port infrastructure. It is expected to strengthen Vizhinjam port's position as a major transhipment gateway in the Indian Ocean region. The collaboration will provide APSEZ with enhanced volume visibility and support faster ramp-up of operations through additional cargo volumes. It is also expected to increase Bangladesh-linked cargo volumes, strengthen the port's presence on East Africa trade routes, and boost relay cargo traffic.
Record-Breaking Performance at Vizhinjam
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, said: "Vizhinjam port has emerged as a premier transhipment hub and ramped up at an unprecedented pace, becoming the first Indian port to earn the unique distinction of crossing 2 million TEUs within 18 months of operations." He added: "I am delighted to expand APSEZ's long-standing partnership with MSC to Vizhinjam, as we prepare for the port's next leg of journey. I am confident that our association will deliver enhanced supply chain efficiencies at a global scale and improve India's access to key global mature and developing markets."
Third Major Collaboration Between APSEZ and MSC
This is the third major collaboration between APSEZ and MSC Group, following earlier partnerships at Mundra's Container Terminal No. 3 and Ennore Port. TiL is one of the world's largest container terminal operators, part of the MSC Group, with a portfolio of more than 100 container terminals across five continents, handling over 70 million TEUs annually.
Expansion Plans and Infrastructure
Commissioned in December 2024, Vizhinjam is India's first deep-draft mega transhipment port. It currently has a capacity of 1.6 million TEUs and is undergoing expansion to increase capacity 3.5 times to 5.7 million TEUs by December 2028. Strategically located about 10 nautical miles from the East-West shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East, the port features a natural draft of 18-20 metres, a 2.9-kilometre breakwater, and an 800-metre berth. The facility is equipped with eight quay cranes and 24 fully automated yard cranes. As India's first automated port, it uses advanced container handling systems, a world-class IT platform, and an AI-enabled indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
Milestones and Vessel Traffic
During FY26, the port handled 1.3 million TEUs and became the fastest Indian port to cross the 1 million TEU milestone. Within 18 months of operations, it surpassed 2 million TEUs and handled more than 950 vessels, setting another national record. In June 2026, Vizhinjam welcomed its 1,000th vessel. The port has handled over 70 Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), the highest among Indian ports, along with 283 vessels exceeding 300 metres in length and 98 vessels requiring drafts greater than 16 metres.
Regulatory Approvals and Future Outlook
The transaction is subject to customary approvals, including regulatory clearances. The agreement further deepens the long-term partnership between APSEZ and MSC Group while supporting the expansion and growth of Vizhinjam as a key global transhipment hub.
