Gujarat Govt. & DP World, sign MoUs worth `25,000 cr
The agreements underscore DP World’s commitment to facilitate trade by developing multipurpose deepdraft ports, Special Economic Zones in Jamnagar and Kutch, Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals and Private Freight Stations at Dahej, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bedi and Morbi.
DP World has signed multiple MoUs worth Rs 25,000 crores with the Government of Gujarat, covering the development of new ports, terminals, and SEZs, strengthening its commitment to supporting trade in a growing India.
Signed at Gandhinagar during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the MoUs highlight Gujarat’s prowess as a role model of development and the growth engine of the nation, while leveraging its logistics and maritime infrastructure. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO, DP World Group, exchanged MoUs around potential investments in Gujarat with M.K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, in the presence of His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, the UAE, and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, as part of the summit in Gandhinagar.
The MoUs underscore DP World’s commitment to facilitating trade in Gujarat by developing:
Multipurpose deep-draft ports in South Gujarat and around the western coast of Gujarat towards Kutch
Special Economic Zones Jamnagar and Kutch
Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) and Private Freight Stations at Dahej, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bedi and Morbi
DP World has also signed an MoU with Gujarat Maritime Board to identify opportunities to develop additional ports along the coast of Gujarat. Commenting on the signing of the MoUs, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said, “We are committed to India, where we have been operating for nearly 20 years. During nearly two decades, we have invested US$2.5 billion and are going to invest more in the next three years. The government policies and our experience here is what gives us the confidence to do more business in India. We have been present in Gujarat since 2003 and are proud to have been part of the state’s growth story. We are honoured to continue our partnership in the state by committing to strengthening its logistics and maritime infrastructure to enable trade in Gujarat.”
DP World’s existing investments in Gujarat include a container terminal in Mundra, along with rail linked private freight terminals at Ahmedabad and Hazira. This is complemented by cold storage facilities in Surat and Bharuch, freight forwarding offices in Ahmedabad and Gandhidham, and express cargo services across the state. Also, DP World ensures global connectivity for businesses in the region by running weekly coastal services via DP World’s Unifeeder Group, linking Mundra, Kandla, and Hazira ports with several international ports. The company launched a first of its kind scheduled rail freight
The MoUs were signed during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
2024. They highlight Gujarat’s prowess as a role model of development
service, ‘SARAL’ linking traders from south Gujarat such as Surat, Vapi, Valsad Vadodara, Bharuch, Ankleshwar to the markets in and around North Capital Region (NCR).
On 25 August last year, DP World signed a US$510 million concession pact with the Deendayal Port Authority to develop, operate and maintain a 2.19 million TEU per year mega-container terminal at Tuna-Tekra in Kandla. This greenfield terminal will have equipment and 1,100 metres berth capable of handling next-generation vessels carrying over 18,000 TEUs.