Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) and the Port of Marseille Fos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This partnership aims to facilitate trade, port innovation, and energy transition, specifically focusing on creating an IMEC Ports Club. The collaboration solidifies APSEZ’s role as the eastern gateway and Marseille Fos as the western gateway for this critical 6,000-km multimodal initiative.
Strategic MoU to Enhance India-Europe Trade Connectivity
On February 18, 2026, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) announced a major strategic partnership with the Port of Marseille Fos, France’s leading Mediterranean gateway. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering cooperation across trade facilitation, port innovation, and the crucial energy transition.
This agreement proposes the creation of an IMEC Ports Club to improve coordination among ports along the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) route, effectively completing the pathway for India-EU trade.
IMEC Corridors and Capacity Expansion
The IMEC, launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, is a massive 6,000-km multimodal connectivity initiative integrating maritime routes, rail networks, digital systems, and clean-energy pathways. APSEZ, with its key logistics hubs at Mundra and Hazira, serves as the eastern gateway.
The MoU specifically empowers Marseille Fos to strengthen its position as the western European gateway, adding approximately 70 million tonnes of capacity and extending IMEC’s reach deeper into Europe.
Key Focus Areas of the Partnership
The cooperation between APSEZ and Marseille Fos will concentrate on several strategic pillars:
- Promoting the IMEC route as a sustainable, secure, and competitive alternative for Eurasian trade flows through joint campaigns and B2B engagements.
- Technical exchange and capacity building, covering port digitalisation, cybersecurity, alternative fuels, shore power supply, and low-carbon bunkering.
- Developing the Mundra-Marseille Fos Green Maritime Corridor.
- Co-founding an IMEC Ports Club to coordinate policy discussions and investment frameworks supporting IMEC infrastructure.
Executive Commentary on Strengthening Supply Chains
Mr. Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO of APSEZ, stated that with the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, trade is expected to grow significantly. He emphasized that this MoU successfully connects the final leg of the corridor to Europe, accelerating the exchange of materials and strengthening supply-chain resilience.
Mr Hervé Martel, CEO of the Port of Marseille Fos, highlighted that the partnership positions both ports at the two extremities of this future trade backbone, agreeing that they will act as strong advocates for a more efficient, resilient and sustainable connection between the regions.
About APSEZ and Port of Marseille Fos Capabilities
APSEZ currently handles a cargo capacity of 633 million tonnes per annum, commanding approximately 28% of India’s total port volumes, with a target of 1 billion tonnes throughput by 2030. It operates 15 strategically located ports and terminals across India.
The Port of Marseille Fos is a major international trade player handling 74 million tonnes of cargo annually. Its strategy includes investing over 1 billion euros in the 2025-2029 plan to accelerate decarbonisation and support green industrial ecosystems, including renewable hydrogen.
Source: BSE
