Adani Ports considering Rs 5,000-cr debt repayment by March 2024: Karan Adani

Adani Ports said on Tuesday it expects to repay loans, including bonds, worth Rs 5,000 crore next financial year, said CEO Karan Adani. Its cash and cash equivalent were Rs 6,257 crore as of Dec. 31, while its net debt was Rs 39,277 crore.

"APSEZ is targeting FY24 EBITDA of Rs 14,500 crore-15,000 crore. Besides an estimated capital expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore-Rs 4,500 crore, we are considering total loan repayment and prepayment of around Rs 5,000 crore, which will significantly improve our net debt to EBITDA ratio and bring it closer to 2.5x by March 24," said Karan Adani, CEO and Whole Time Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, part of the embattled Adani Group, posted a lower quarterly profit in December quarter as forex losses soared.

The company, India's largest private port operator, is one of several Adani Group companies caught in the eye of a storm since January 24 when US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research raised concerns on the conglomerate's debt levels and use of tax havens.

Adani Ports said its consolidated net profit fell 16% to Rs 1,316 crore in the third quarter.

Revenue from operations rose 17.5% to Rs 4,786 crore due to improved realisations, offsetting a drop in cargo volumes in Mundra, India's largest private port, and the Dhamra Port.

However, profit was hit by foreign exchange losses ballooning to Rs 315 crore from Rs 12.7 crore a year ago, due to mark-to-market losses.

The company is well placed to achieve the upper end of its full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance provided for 2022-23. "The company also concluded the transactions of Haifa Port Company, IOTL, ICD Tumb, Ocean Sparkle, andGangavaram Port, and is progressing well on transitioning its business model to a transport utility," said Karan Adani.

Adani Ports said it expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of between Rs 12,200 crore -Rs 12,600 crore in the year ending March 2023.

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