IMEC Partnership Builds Strong Future Trade Route
Adani Ports & SEZ and Port of Marseille Fos Sign Strategic IMEC Partnership to Strengthen India–Europe Trade Connectivity
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), the world’s fastest-growing integrated transport utility, and the Port of Marseille Fos, France’s leading port and the Mediterranean’s premier gateway, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation on trade facilitation, port innovation, and energy transition.
This kind of agreement is not just a routine signing. Around the world, ports are now working together more closely than ever before. Global trade depends heavily on smooth port operations. More than 80 per cent of world trade moves by sea. When two large ports join hands, they can make shipping faster, safer, and cheaper. APSEZ is already India’s biggest private port operator. Its ports handle hundreds of millions of tonnes of cargo every year. Marseille Fos is also a major European port, handling oil, containers, and bulk goods. This means both ports bring strong experience and capacity to this partnership.
This partnership proposes the creation of an IMEC Ports Club to strengthen coordination among key ports along the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) route, reinforcing connectivity between India and the European Union. This completes the IMEC pathway for India-EU trade, which has been boosted by the FTA between India and the EU, termed as ‘the mother of all deals’ by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, a Shri Narendra Modi.
Trade corridors like IMEC are becoming very important in today’s world. Many countries want faster alternatives to older routes. For example, the traditional route through the Suez Canal often faces delays due to heavy traffic or political tensions. A coordinated ports club can help reduce these risks. It allows ports to share updates, solve problems quickly, and keep cargo moving. The India–EU trade relationship itself is very large. Europe is one of India’s biggest trading partners. India exports goods like textiles, machinery, and medicines to Europe. In return, Europe sends aircraft parts, cars, and technology to India. Better port coordination can increase this exchange and reduce shipping time.
The MoU was signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the expanding India–France strategic partnership and aligning it with the broader IMEC and India–EU trade vision. Launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a 6,000-km multimodal connectivity initiative linking India and Europe through integrated maritime routes, rail networks, digital systems and clean energy pathways.
The IMEC project is often compared to other major global trade routes. It combines ships, trains, and digital systems to move goods smoothly. This reduces dependence on a single route. It also improves supply chain safety. After the COVID pandemic, many countries realised the danger of relying on limited routes. When one route stopped, goods could not move. IMEC aims to prevent such problems in future. It also includes clean energy links. This means the corridor may help transport green hydrogen and other clean fuels. This supports global climate goals.
On the eastern gateway of IMEC, APSEZ’s ports at Mundra and Hazira form a multimodal logistics hub connecting South Asia to West Asia. Through this MoU, Marseille Fos strengthens the western European gateway of the corridor, adding approximately 70 million tonnes of capacity and extending IMEC’s reach deeper into Europe.
Mundra Port, located in Gujarat, is already India’s largest commercial port. It handles containers, coal, crude oil, and many other goods. It also has road and rail connections across India. Hazira Port is also important, especially for steel and energy cargo. These ports act as key export points for Indian industries. On the other side, Marseille Fos connects to France’s industrial regions and inland Europe. Goods arriving there can quickly move to countries like Germany and Italy. This makes the full corridor highly efficient.
Marseille Fos is one of Europe’s largest integrated multimodal port ecosystems. This partnership establishes a more structured and coordinated pathway to facilitate India–EU trade flows.
Large ports today are not just loading points. They are logistics centres. They use digital systems to track cargo in real time. This reduces loss and delays. Smart ports also use automation to improve speed. Marseille Fos has invested heavily in such modern systems. APSEZ has also introduced digital tools across its ports. This helps shipping companies plan better and reduce waiting time.
The partnership will focus on:
Promoting the IMEC route as a sustainable, secure, and competitive alternative for Eurasian trade flows, including joint campaigns, participation in international trade fairs and roadshows, and targeted B2B engagements.
This promotion is important because shipping companies choose routes based on cost, safety, and speed. If IMEC proves efficient, more companies will use it. This can increase business for all ports involved.
Technical exchange and capacity building in port digitalisation, smart port platforms, data interoperability, cybersecurity, alternative fuels, shore power supply and low carbon bunkering.
Cybersecurity is now a major concern. Ports use computer systems to manage cargo. If hacked, operations can stop. Sharing technology helps protect against such risks. Alternative fuels and shore power also reduce pollution. Ships can switch off engines while docked and use shore electricity.
Developing the Mundra–Marseille Fos Green Maritime Corridor.
Green corridors are a big global goal. Shipping causes nearly 3 per cent of global carbon emissions. Green corridors use cleaner fuels and efficient ships. This helps protect the environment.
Co-founding an IMEC Ports Club to institutionalise dialogue among corridor ports and coordinate inputs for policy discussions and investment frameworks supporting IMEC infrastructure.
This club can also attract investors. Large infrastructure projects need huge funding. When ports work together, investors feel more confident.
“India has already taken a leadership role in advancing this corridor, and with the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, trade between the participating countries is expected to grow manifold,” said Mr Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO, APSEZ. “At APSEZ, our ports in Hazira and Mundra on India’s western coast have already established a seamless pathway across the first and middle legs of the corridor. With this MoU with the Port of Marseille Fos in France, we have now successfully connected the final leg to Europe. This partnership will significantly accelerate the exchange of information and materials among all participating nations, further strengthening economic cooperation and supply-chain resilience.”
Stronger supply chains are critical for economic growth. When goods move smoothly, industries grow faster. Jobs increase. Prices remain stable.
Mr Hervé Martel, CEO of the Port of Marseille Fos, added: “We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with APSEZ at a moment when the IMEC corridor is entering a decisive phase. India and Marseille stand at the two extremities of this future trade backbone, giving both ports a major responsibility in structuring and energising this new route. Together, we intend to mobilise and federate the ports involved, and to act as strong advocates of a more efficient, resilient and sustainable connection between our regions.”
Experts believe this partnership may shape future global trade. As India’s economy grows and Europe looks for trusted partners, corridors like IMEC could become key trade lifelines for decades to come.
