Adani Ports has clarified that the proposed sale of a 49% stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will not alter the port’s status as an open-access facility. The company said all shipping lines will continue to have equal access to the port, dismissing concerns that MSC would enjoy exclusive operating privileges.
Responding to the controversy surrounding the transaction, Adani Ports CEO Ashwani Gupta said the agreement announced with MSC is only the beginning of the approval process. He clarified that the share transfer will be completed only after obtaining all necessary regulatory and government approvals, including those required under the concession agreement with the Kerala government. Adani also said it will continue to retain majority ownership and operational control of the port even after the proposed transaction.
The proposed deal, valued at around $1.4 billion, would see MSC’s terminal operating arm acquire a 49% stake in the project, making it the largest foreign private investment in India’s port infrastructure. The partnership is expected to strengthen Vizhinjam’s position as a major transshipment hub and enhance cargo connectivity across global trade routes.
The clarification comes after the Kerala government raised concerns over the announcement, stating that any change in the shareholding structure of the concessionaire requires prior government approval. The state has said it will examine the proposal in accordance with the concession agreement before granting any clearance
