Mumbai / Ahmedabad, December 5, 2025 — In a move that signals a major upgrade for India’s automobile-export infrastructure, Motherson — through its joint venture Samvardhana Motherson Hamakyorex Engineered Logistics Ltd (SAMRX) — has entered into an agreement with Dighi Port Limited (DPL), a subsidiary of APSEZ, to build a dedicated auto-export facility at Dighi Port in Maharashtra.

Under this agreement, Dighi Port is now slated to handle up to 200,000 cars annually, becoming a major automobile-export terminal serving the Mumbai–Pune auto belt, according to the companies involved.

The agreement entails the development of a state-of-the-art Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) terminal at Dighi Port. SAMRX will invest in this facility to deliver a full suite of logistics services, including end-to-end “Finished Vehicle (FV)” handling, storage, and cargo visibility.

According to company statements, this collaboration aims to leverage APSEZ’s integrated port infrastructure along with Motherson’s logistics expertise. The result would be a seamless, efficient network for vehicle movement, enhancing supply-chain efficiency for major automotive OEMs exporting from India.

The RoRo terminal Is expected to streamline operations, lower logistics costs, and improve cargo handling speed — benefits likely to be passed on to OEMs and exporters working out of the Mumbai–Pune corridor.

Dighi Port is one of APSEZ’s 15 strategic ports, and this new facility positions it as the go-to export terminal for finished vehicles destined for global markets.

For the broader vision of India’s “Make in India” and export-oriented growth strategy, the development of Dighi Port as an auto-export hub may prove instrumental. It promises to offer exporters an alternative to congested ports and cut down on transit times for vehicles built in the industrial belt between Mumbai and Pune.

Given the robust demand for Indian-manufactured vehicles in overseas markets, especially from OEMs with plants near Pune and neighbouring auto clusters, the Dighi Port facility could offer a reliable, modern logistics solution.

Ashwani Gupta, CEO and Whole-Time Director at APSEZ, said the partnership with Motherson marks a significant milestone in redefining automotive logistics in India. By combining APSEZ’s infrastructure strength with Motherson’s end-to-end logistics capabilities, the companies aim to create a resilient and efficient network for vehicle movement across the country.

From Motherson’s side, Laksh Vaaman Sehgal, Vice Chairman of Motherson Group, described the move as a strategic step toward offering integrated, world-class logistics services to the automotive industry. The new RoRo terminal is “a strategic asset” that will reduce logistics costs for OEMs and provide enhanced visibility and reliability — crucial for export operations.

APSEZ already commands a substantial share of India’s port volumes. According to recent data, the group is targeting a total throughput of one billion tonnes by 2030 across its network.

The decision to build a dedicated car-export hub at Dighi Port reflects APSEZ’s strategy to expand beyond commodity and container traffic into value-added logistic services. Given the group’s existing capacities and track record — including record car-loading operations at Mundra Port — the new facility could add a significant boost to India’s vehicle export capabilities.

For OEMs operating in the Mumbai–Pune region, the Dighi Port terminal offers a more efficient and structured export pathway. This could translate into lower transit times, reduced handling costs, and improved coordination of export shipments. The presence of a dedicated RoRo terminal also means less dependency on multipurpose ports, which often juggle diverse cargo types.

In the long run, the enhanced infrastructure could encourage automakers to scale up export volumes, responding to rising global demand for Indian-made vehicles. This might also create downstream opportunities for logistics firms, freight forwarders, and associated service providers.

While the announcement is promising, the actual impact will depend on timely completion of the infrastructure, operational efficiency, and coordination between multiple stakeholders — port operators, OEMs, logistic firms, and exporters. Additionally, demand from global markets will play a key role in determining whether the 2 lakh-car annual capacity is utilized fully.

Regulatory clearances, customs processes, and port-side capacities (such as berths, storage yards, road connectivity) will all matter in translating this announcement into real operational success.

The partnership between APSEZ (via Dighi Port) and Motherson represents a bold step towards strengthening India’s automobile export infrastructure. With a planned capacity to handle 200,000 cars per year, the new dedicated RoRo terminal at Dighi could reshape vehicle logistics for exporters in the Mumbai–Pune auto belt. If implemented efficiently, this facility may ease export operations, reduce costs, and support India’s ambitions under the Make in India initiative.

As India’s auto industry eyes growing global demand, effective infrastructure like Dighi Port’s new auto-export terminal may become a backbone for making the country a reliable global manufacturing and export hub.