ADANI PORTS: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd is evaluating the option of taking over the operation and maintenance of a major port on the south-east coast including L&T’s Katupalli Port at Ennore, according to sources.
Also on its radar are ports in Gangavaram, Andhra Pradesh, and Karaikal, Puducherry.
Adani Ports operates a coal terminal at Vishakapatnam port and has got a contract to operate a container terminal at Kamarajar port. However, it wants to operate a whole port to handle bulk cargo, container and general cargo such as automobiles. The Katupalli port being adjacent to the Kamarajar port fits well for the Adani group. The company can also acquire land between two ports for development, the source said.
Recently, Adani Ports got a nod from the Kerala government to develop the Vizhinjam port.
“The Adani group is going to be a major competitor for ports at Chennai, Ennore and VOC ports in Tamil Nadu, and other ports in the south,” said sources.
“We do not want to comment on the issue of taking over management of any port,” said a spokesperson for Adani Ports. Officials in L&T could not be reached for a comment.
Both Adani and L&T have been partners for many years. Adani acquired the Dhamra port in Odisha from L&T and Tata Steel, and has been sourcing materials from the group for various operations. The Katupalli port could be an extension of this relationship, sources said.
It is learnt that the AP Moller–Maersk Group, a Danish business conglomerate, is also in the race to acquire the container terminal operations of the Katupalli port. The company evaluated it and then called it off. However, it has revived the plan now, sources said.
