APSEZ Operationalises India’s First Port of Refuge
Why in the news
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) put into service what is described as India’s first Port of Refuge, a facility where distressed ships can find shelter.
Key facts
- Operator: APSEZ.
- Designated ports: Dighi Port (west coast) and Gopalpur Port (east coast).
- Partners: SMIT Salvage, a Boskalis unit from the Netherlands, and the MERC emergency response centre in Gujarat.
- Services: salvage, firefighting, pollution containment and coordination of emergency response.
Coverage of the two ports
| Port | Coast | Routes covered |
|---|---|---|
| Dighi | West | Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf |
| Gopalpur | East | Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait |
About a Port of Refuge
According to the International Maritime Organization’s definition cited in reports, it is a designated location where a ship in trouble can seek shelter, steady its condition, protect life and limit environmental damage. The arrangement also supports vessels covered by International Group P&I Clubs and protects India’s roughly 11,000 km coastline.
Exam angle
- Remember the pairing: Dighi on the west coast, Gopalpur on the east.
- Know the operator (APSEZ) and the Dutch salvage partner (SMIT Salvage).
- It is a maritime-infrastructure first, useful for static-GK style questions.