India’s state-run miner NMDC Limited has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (a subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd) and Brazil’s Vale S.A. to develop an integrated iron ore blending facility and dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gangavaram Port in Andhra Pradesh.
The agreement, signed during the India–Brazil Business Forum Summit in New Delhi in the presence of senior government officials, establishes a framework for joint development, operation, and management of an SEZ-based ecosystem. It focuses on blending, value addition, and commercialisation of iron ore to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable supply chain on India’s east coast.
Under the collaboration, the partners will build fully mechanised infrastructure for iron ore handling, blending different grades to meet specific customer requirements, and exporting high-quality material. This will help steelmakers access customised iron ore mixes more easily, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The project is expected to increase Gangavaram Port’s capacity to up to 75 million metric tonnes per annum (MMT), positioning it as a major hub for iron ore exports from India and the region.
The MoU supports stronger India-Brazil ties in the steel raw materials sector, following a separate bilateral agreement on raw materials cooperation. It aligns with India’s goal to boost steel production capacity and enhance export competitiveness while leveraging Vale’s global expertise in iron ore mining and logistics.
Officials from the three parties described the partnership as a step toward building a world-class mineral logistics ecosystem. The facility will use advanced mechanisation and sustainable practices to handle large volumes, including support for Valemax vessels, the world’s largest bulk carriers.
This initiative comes as India aims to expand its steel output significantly in the coming years, with improved port infrastructure playing a key role in raw material security and export growth.
