NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Andhra Pradesh has significant potential to become one of the world’s leading maritime and logistics centres, backed by investments in port infrastructure, shipbuilding facilities and coastal transportation, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
Addressing the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, the minister outlined the state’s strategic importance in strengthening India’s maritime connectivity and expanding its presence in international shipping and trade.
According to an official statement, Sonowal pointed to Andhra Pradesh’s approximately 1,053-kilometre coastline along the Bay of Bengal, its access to important international shipping corridors and its proximity to major manufacturing and commercial markets across Asia.
He said these geographical advantages could help the state establish itself as a major Indian gateway for trade with ASEAN countries, East Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Drawing a comparison with Hyderabad’s transformation into a major technology centre, Sonowal said Andhra Pradesh now had an opportunity to build a similar identity through maritime development.
“If Hyderabad became Cyberabad, Andhra Pradesh today has the opportunity to become India’s Maritime Gateway to the East,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen port-related infrastructure, the minister referred to projects worth more than Rs 560 crore for Visakhapatnam Port, whose foundation stones were laid on Wednesday.
The proposed developments are expected to increase cargo-handling capacity, improve operational efficiency, facilitate business activities and generate new employment opportunities.
Sonowal identified shipbuilding and ship repair as two major sectors that could accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s industrial and economic growth. In this connection, he highlighted the proposed greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam, which has received in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission.
The ambitious project envisages an investment of around Rs 30,000 crore and is designed to achieve an annual production capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnes.
A special purpose vehicle involving the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board and Visakhapatnam Port Authority has also been established to facilitate the project’s development through cooperation between the Centre and the state government.
The minister called upon international shipbuilding companies, maritime technology providers, equipment manufacturers and investors to consider Andhra Pradesh as a promising destination for expanding their operations.
He said greater participation from global industry players could strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, encourage technology transfers and create a more competitive maritime ecosystem.
Sonowal also drew attention to two major proposed initiatives aimed at supporting India’s maritime manufacturing and coastal transportation sectors.
These include the Rs 10,000-crore Container Manufacturing Scheme, intended to encourage indigenous production of shipping containers, and the proposed Rs 10,000-crore Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, which seeks to strengthen coastal movement of goods.
The initiatives are expected to support domestic industries, reduce dependence on imported equipment and improve the efficiency of India’s logistics network.
Emphasising the importance of technological innovation, Sonowal said the future of maritime infrastructure would depend heavily on digital transformation and intelligent port management systems.
He noted that artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automated operations and digital logistics platforms would play an increasingly important role in improving port productivity, reducing operational delays and strengthening international competitiveness.
According to the minister, Andhra Pradesh has the opportunity to become a frontrunner in adopting these technologies and developing modern maritime facilities.
The government’s focus on infrastructure expansion, private-sector participation and advanced technology is expected to create fresh opportunities across shipping, logistics, manufacturing and allied industries.
Sonowal’s remarks underline the Centre’s broader ambition to strengthen India’s maritime capabilities and position the country as a significant player in global shipping and trade, with Andhra Pradesh emerging as a key contributor to that vision.