**Adani Ports Acquires Australian Terminal in Major Strategic Move**
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), based in Ahmedabad, announced on Thursday its acquisition of a port terminal in Queensland, Australia, in a non-cash transaction valued at A$3.975 billion (approximately ₹21,640 crore or $2.5 billion). This strategic move involves the issuance of 143.8 million equity shares to Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd (CRPSHPL), a promoter-owned entity that controls the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT). Following this transaction, the promoter’s stake in APSEZ will increase by 2.13 percentage points to 68.02%.
APSEZ originally acquired the port terminal in 2011 for around ₹9,000 crore, but it was sold to the Adani family in 2013 to address the debt of the publicly listed company. Ashwani Gupta, the whole-time director and CEO of APSEZ, emphasized that the acquisition of NQXT is a crucial step in the company’s international strategy, enabling access to new export markets and securing long-term contracts with key users. The terminal’s strategic location along the East-West trade corridor is expected to enhance its operational significance.
Gupta further stated that the company aims to increase the terminal’s EBITDA to A$400 million (approximately $255 million) within four years, building on the A$228 million EBITDA recorded in FY25. The terminal has a rated capacity of 50 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with potential for expansion to 120 MTPA as demand increases. In the previous fiscal year, the terminal managed 35 million metric tonnes of cargo.
As part of the acquisition, APSEZ will also take on additional non-core assets and liabilities related to the terminal, although the company’s leverage is expected to remain stable post-transaction. NQXT is a deep-water, multi-user export terminal located at the Port of Abbot Point, approximately 25 km north of Bowen, Queensland, and is leased from the Queensland Government until 2110. The terminal serves a high-quality customer base in the Bowen and Galilee mining basins, exporting metallurgical and energy coal to over 15 countries.
As India’s largest commercial ports operator, APSEZ accounts for nearly one-fourth of the country’s cargo movement. This acquisition aligns with the company’s goal of achieving a handling capacity of 1 billion tonnes per annum by 2030, having managed 450 million tonnes in FY25. In FY24, APSEZ reported consolidated revenues of ₹26,711 crore and a net profit of ₹8,104 crore.
**FAQ**
**What is the significance of Adani Ports’ acquisition of NQXT?**
The acquisition of the North Queensland Export Terminal is a strategic move for Adani Ports, enhancing its international presence and enabling access to new export markets while aiming for significant EBITDA growth in the coming years.