Adani Ports has operationalised India's first Port of Refuge, as part of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SMIT Salvage, the salvage and emergency response division of Royal Boskalis Westminster NV (Boskalis) and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC), the company confirmed in an exchange filing on Friday.
This serves as a major boost for India's maritime safety, as a Port of Refuge, aligned with international maritime conventions, promises to enhance safety, environmental protection and India's role in global shipping corridors.
What is a Port of Refuge?
A Port of Refuge, as defined by the International Maritime Organisation, is a harbour, sheltered area or a port where a ship in distress or danger can enter to repair damage, secure cargo and ensure the safety of its crew - essentially acting as a pitstop before it can continue its voyage.
A Port of Refuge thus allows ships to address situations that threaten safety, such as structural damage, fire or severe cargo shift, in order to prevent any further deterioration or total loss.
A PoR is a standard in major maritime economies. However, India had not formalised one up until now, meaning Adani Ports' endeavours could go a long way in strengthening India's 11,000-kilometre coastline and its emergency response capabilities.
Where are these ports located?
According to the exchange filing, Adani Ports, which handles 27% of India's maritime cargo, will designate two sites of Port of Refuge.
On the west coast, Dighi Port will act as a PoR, supporting traffic across the Arabian Sea and routes towards the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, on the east coast, the Gopalpur Port will be serving vessels in the Bay of Bengal and routes towards the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest maritime trade corridors and a feeding point for South East Asia.
These PoRs will provide facilities such as salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment and emergency coordination services through specialised equipment and trained response teams, Adani Ports confirmed in the filing.
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