Andhra Pradesh poised to emerge as global maritime hub: Shipping and Ports Minister Sonowal
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Visakhapatnam, Nov 12 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh is poised to emerge as a globally competitive maritime and logistics hub, with a major push towards port infrastructure, shipbuilding and ship repair, Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
Addressing the CII Partnership Summit here, Sonowal highlighted shipbuilding and ship repair as major opportunities for Andhra Pradesh. He said the proposed greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam has received in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission and envisages an investment of approximately Rs 30,000 crore, with a targeted annual capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnes.
A Centre-State special purpose vehicle (SPV) involving the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board and the Visakhapatnam Port Authority has been formed for the project. He invited global shipbuilders, technology companies, equipment manufacturers and maritime investors to explore Andhra Pradesh as a preferred investment destination.
Sonowal also highlighted the foundation stone laid on Wednesday for projects worth more than Rs 560 crore at Visakhapatnam Port. These projects are expected to build and augment capacity, enhance ease of doing business, and create employment opportunities.
The minister underscored the state's strategic advantages, including its approximately 1,053-kilometre coastline along the Bay of Bengal, access to key international shipping routes and proximity to major Asian manufacturing and trading economies. He said these strengths position Andhra Pradesh to become India's principal maritime gateway to ASEAN, East Asia, and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Sonowal said the Centre was committed to working closely with the state government, industry and global investors to unlock its potential.
"If Hyderabad became Cyberabad, Andhra Pradesh today has the opportunity to become India's Maritime Gateway to the East," Sonowal said, drawing a parallel between the state's technology-led growth and the opportunities emerging in the maritime sector.
The state's port infrastructure is set for further expansion with four major greenfield port projects under construction at Mulapeta, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam, and Kakinada SEZ. These projects are expected to strengthen cargo-handling capacity and support industrial development.
"Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India had set an ambitious objective of becoming one of the world's top five shipbuilding nations. We have been taking major steps to develop the capacity, technology and industrial ecosystem required to achieve this goal. The Modi government has allocated Rs 70,000 crore in financing support for shipbuilding and other maritime activities, creating opportunities for domestic and international investors," Sonowal said.
The minister said Andhra Pradesh's maritime development was part of India's wider transformation initiatives such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which are laying the foundations for a globally competitive maritime economy, with an envisaged investment of ₹80 lakh crore.
Emphasising the role of technology in the next phase of maritime development, he said: "Smart ports powered by artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automation and digital logistics platforms would be central to improving efficiency and competitiveness. Andhra Pradesh has the opportunity to take a leading role in this transformation."
Addressing the CII Partnership Summit here, Sonowal highlighted shipbuilding and ship repair as major opportunities for Andhra Pradesh. He said the proposed greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam has received in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission and envisages an investment of approximately Rs 30,000 crore, with a targeted annual capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnes.
A Centre-State special purpose vehicle (SPV) involving the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board and the Visakhapatnam Port Authority has been formed for the project. He invited global shipbuilders, technology companies, equipment manufacturers and maritime investors to explore Andhra Pradesh as a preferred investment destination.
Sonowal also highlighted the foundation stone laid on Wednesday for projects worth more than Rs 560 crore at Visakhapatnam Port. These projects are expected to build and augment capacity, enhance ease of doing business, and create employment opportunities.
The minister underscored the state's strategic advantages, including its approximately 1,053-kilometre coastline along the Bay of Bengal, access to key international shipping routes and proximity to major Asian manufacturing and trading economies. He said these strengths position Andhra Pradesh to become India's principal maritime gateway to ASEAN, East Asia, and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Sonowal said the Centre was committed to working closely with the state government, industry and global investors to unlock its potential.
"If Hyderabad became Cyberabad, Andhra Pradesh today has the opportunity to become India's Maritime Gateway to the East," Sonowal said, drawing a parallel between the state's technology-led growth and the opportunities emerging in the maritime sector.
The state's port infrastructure is set for further expansion with four major greenfield port projects under construction at Mulapeta, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam, and Kakinada SEZ. These projects are expected to strengthen cargo-handling capacity and support industrial development.
"Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India had set an ambitious objective of becoming one of the world's top five shipbuilding nations. We have been taking major steps to develop the capacity, technology and industrial ecosystem required to achieve this goal. The Modi government has allocated Rs 70,000 crore in financing support for shipbuilding and other maritime activities, creating opportunities for domestic and international investors," Sonowal said.
The minister said Andhra Pradesh's maritime development was part of India's wider transformation initiatives such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which are laying the foundations for a globally competitive maritime economy, with an envisaged investment of ₹80 lakh crore.
Emphasising the role of technology in the next phase of maritime development, he said: "Smart ports powered by artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automation and digital logistics platforms would be central to improving efficiency and competitiveness. Andhra Pradesh has the opportunity to take a leading role in this transformation."
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