Adani Ports Anchors Argentina’s First LNG Export to India

Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) has secured a landmark 10‑year marine services contract for Argentina’s first LNG export project to India, marking its entry into South America and reinforcing India‑Argentina energy trade ties. The Southern Energy FLNG project will begin operations in 2027, with Argentina expected to export up to 10 million tonnes of LNG annually to India.

The contract marks India's largest integrated transport utility’s entry into South America and strengthens its global marine services portfolio.

The Adani Group–Meridian consortium will deliver marine services for the Southern Energy FLNG project, supported by an estimated investment commitment of $70 million. The project strengthens APSEZ’s role in an emerging LNG export corridor while reinforcing growing energy linkages between India and Argentina.

Key Highlights of the Deal

• APSEZ entry into South America: First major marine services contract in the region.
• Consortium with Meridian Group: Joint venture (51:49) between Adani Harbour International FZCO and Argentina’s Meridian Transportes Marítimos S.A.
• Southern Energy FLNG project: Developed by Southern Energy S.A., a JV of Golar LNG and Pan American Energy.
• Investment commitment: Estimated at $70 million for marine assets and operations.
• Marine services scope: Tugboat operations, offshore logistics, supply support, and crew transfer. Supported by 4 tugboats, 1 anchor handling tug supply vessel, and 1 crew boat.

Strategic Importance

• Energy Corridor Creation: Argentina’s LNG exports will diversify India’s energy sources, reducing reliance on Middle Eastern suppliers.
• Supply Resilience: APSEZ’s expertise in 12 countries ensures operational reliability in complex maritime environments.
• Production Capacity: Phase 1 will produce 2.45 million tonnes annually (~28 cargoes), scaling up to 10 million tonnes per year for India from 2027.

India–Argentina Energy Linkages

• Argentina’s LNG role: Emerging as a new global supplier, leveraging the General San Martin pipeline and FLNG vessel Hilli Episeyo.
• India’s demand outlook: Rising LNG imports to support industrial growth, power generation, and clean energy transition.
• Geopolitical impact: Strengthens Indo‑Latin American energy cooperation, diversifying India’s strategic energy partnerships.

APSEZ’s Global Marine Footprint

Region	Key Projects	Strategic Value
Middle East	LNG terminal support, offshore logistics	Energy hub connectivity
Africa	Port operations, oil & gas logistics	Expanding trade corridors
South America (Argentina)	Southern Energy FLNG marine services	First LNG export link to India
India	Ports, LNG terminals, refineries	Domestic energy resilience

Risks & Challenges

• Operational Timeline: Commercial operations only from September 2027, requiring long‑term planning.
• Global LNG Market Volatility: Prices and demand may fluctuate with geopolitical tensions.
• Infrastructure Dependence: Success hinges on Argentina’s pipeline and FLNG vessel reliability.

India, Argentina Initiate Bilateral Exchange of Young Researchers and Startups, Focusing Agriculture and Biotech

India and Argentina have agreed for a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.

This was stated by Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh when the Governor of Santa Fe province of Argentina, Omar Angel Perotti called on him, accompanied by a high-level delegation.

The two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of Science & Technology and Biotechnology, said the Minister.

Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that a new Indo-Argentina call for joint proposals was launched on February 7, 2023 in the research areas of Energy Transition and Biotechnology jointly during his meeting with Argentina's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Daniel Filmus in New Delhi. A total of 82 joint proposals were received under the said call. These are under the evaluation process.

Santa Fe Province accounts for as many as 8 of these joint proposals, said Mr. Perotti, adding that the province also accounts for about 80% of bilateral trade between India and the Latin American nation. The Governor mentioned that Santa Fe is the hub of R&D institutions in Biotechnology and Agricultural research especially in Soyabean, and close tie ups with universities and industry in the province. Pioneering work has been done here in disease resistant seed production, he said.

The Indian delegation evinced interest in collaborating in Geospatial technology, Quantum Computation and Bio-Enzymes. It was pointed out that India has the world’s third largest Startup ecosystem and there is huge potential for joint studies and collaboration at various levels such institutional, universities and multilateral fora.

India is the 4th largest trading partner of Argentina, with bilateral trade touching a historic peak of USD 6.4 billion in the year 2022, recording a growth rate of 12% over 2021. Exports from India to Argentina was worth USD 1.84 billion (31% growth rate) while India’s imports from Argentina was worth USD 4.55 billion. As per DGFT, India-Argentina bilateral trade during the fiscal year 2022-23 was USD 4.16 billion, with India’s exports to Argentina valued at USD 961 million and Argentina’s exports to India valued at USD 3.20 billion.

Major items of India’s exports to Argentina include petroleum oils, agrochemicals, yarn-fabric-made ups, organic chemicals, bulk drugs and two-wheelers. Major items of India’s imports from Argentina include vegetable oils (soya bean and sunflower), finished leather, cereals, residual chemicals and allied products and pulses.

Several Indian companies have established operations in Argentina with a total investment of over USD 1 billion. Argentina’s investment in India stands at approximately USD 120 million. Argentine companies with presence in India include Globant and OLX in IT services and TECHINT in the manufacturing sector.

A new assembly line of Royal Enfield was inaugurated by Argentine President Mr. Alberto Fernandez on 9 September 2020 at the production facility of SIMPA Group in Buenos Aires Province. This marks the first time in the 119 years’ history of Royal Enfield that their bikes would be manufactured outside their own plants.

Agreements to promote cooperation in Oil and Energy sector was signed between OVL Ltd and YPF (Argentine Oil and Energy public sector company) in February 2023; first ever commercial agreement in defence sector for supply of helicopters spares and engine maintenance was signed between HAL and Argentine Air Force in February 2023 as also cooperation agreement between HAL and FAdeA (Argentine public sector company in Aeronautics) in June 2023.

A bilateral business chamber, India-Argentina Business Council (IABC), was formally launched on 14 October 2020. The Council, conceptualized as a non-profit organization comprising leading investors, exporters and importers in Argentina, is currently composed of over 30 companies. IABC, together with India’s Mission, organized the first Business Forum on 25 March 2021.

There are about 2,600 NRIs / PIOs in Argentina. Most of the NRIs live in Argentina. Majority of these live in the capital city of Buenos Aires, including professionals working with Indian companies and multinational corporations.