Adani Ports and JSW Utkal sign major agreements with Odisha to boost port infrastructure and create 8,500 jobs.
In a landmark move to reshape Odisha’s maritime future, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) and JSW Utkal Steel Ltd have signed concession agreements with the state government, unlocking a combined investment of around ₹18,000 crore. The twin projects are expected to generate nearly 8,500 jobs while bolstering Odisha’s emergence as a logistics powerhouse along India’s eastern coastline.
Gopalpur port set for mega expansion by Adani
Leading the charge is Adani Ports, India’s largest private port operator, which will invest a staggering ₹15,000 crore to transform Gopalpur Port into a major maritime hub. This follows APSEZ’s recent acquisition of a majority stake in Gopalpur Ports Ltd from the Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
Gopalpur Port, located strategically between Paradip and Visakhapatnam, currently operates as a 20 million tonnes (mt) capacity deep-water port handling key dry bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, limestone, and alumina. The new expansion will not only scale up its cargo-handling capabilities but also create synergy with Adani’s existing ports at Dhamra and Gangavaram, further entrenching its eastern coast footprint.
The master plan, soon to be submitted to the Odisha government, outlines Gopalpur’s evolution into a mega port with improved infrastructure, leveraging over 500 acres of leased land, backed by strong rail (via the Chennai-Howrah line) and road (NH16) connectivity. The port’s flexibility and mineral-rich hinterland give it enormous potential to support Odisha’s growing industrial base.
Under its original 30-year concession (granted in 2006), Gopalpur Ports Ltd is required to share 7.5% of revenue with the state, with options to extend for two decades.
JSW’s captive jetty to power steel plant in Jagatsinghpur
Meanwhile, JSW Utkal Steel, a unit of the Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group, will develop a captive jetty at Jatadhar Muhan, in Erasama Tehsil, Jagatsinghpur district, through an estimated ₹3,000 crore investment.
This captive port will serve JSW’s upcoming integrated steel plant, ensuring smooth in-and-out movement of raw materials and finished goods. At full scale, the jetty is expected to handle 55 mt of cargo annually, with JSW agreeing to pay a royalty between ₹25 and ₹35 per tonne to the state. The concession period will be aligned with the operational lifespan of the steel plant it supports.
A big boost for Odisha’s industrial vision
Both agreements align with Odisha’s aggressive push to position itself as a logistics and industrial leader on the eastern seaboard. The projects promise not only capital investment and job creation but also a massive leap in port-led development, complementing national efforts under Sagarmala and Blue Economy frameworks.
State officials highlighted the role of Black Brix (Kalinth Advisors) as transaction advisors, helping facilitate these strategic partnerships.
As Odisha’s coastline gets primed for a wave of infrastructure growth, these deals signal a powerful convergence of private sector might and public vision, laying the foundation for a high-growth, industrially vibrant maritime future.
Source: newsonprojects
