Andhra Pradesh Maritime Hub Plan: Rs 30,000-Crore Shipbuilding Cluster and Four Greenfield Ports to Boost Growth

Andhra Pradesh Maritime Hub Plan: Rs 30,000-Crore Shipbuilding Cluster and Four Greenfield Ports to Boost Growth

Visakhapatnam, Nov 13: Andhra Pradesh is stepping up its maritime ambitions with plans to expand port infrastructure, establish a major shipbuilding cluster and modernise logistics facilities, positioning the state as a potential gateway for India’s trade with ASEAN, East Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal outlined the state’s maritime growth prospects while addressing the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. He highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s 1,053-kilometre coastline, strategic location along the Bay of Bengal and access to major international shipping routes as key advantages for attracting global maritime investment.

Drawing a parallel with Hyderabad’s emergence as Cyberabad, Sonowal said Andhra Pradesh had the opportunity to become “India’s Maritime Gateway to the East”.

He emphasised that the Centre would work with the state government, industry and international investors to accelerate port-led development and build a competitive maritime ecosystem.

Four greenfield ports to strengthen maritime infrastructure

Andhra Pradesh’s port network is set for a significant expansion, with four greenfield projects under construction at Mulapeta, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam and Kakinada SEZ.

The proposed facilities are expected to strengthen cargo-handling capacity, improve connectivity and support industrial growth across the state.

Sonowal also highlighted the foundation stone laid on Wednesday for projects worth more than ₹560 crore at Visakhapatnam Port. The projects are aimed at augmenting port capacity, improving ease of doing business and generating employment opportunities.

The state already has an established maritime network comprising Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam ports. Visakhapatnam Port handled a record 91.17 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2025-26, registering growth of around 10 per cent over the previous financial year. The port has recorded continuous growth for four consecutive years since FY 2021-22.

₹30,000-crore shipbuilding cluster proposed at Dugarajapatnam

A major component of Andhra Pradesh’s maritime expansion is the proposed greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam.

The project, which has received in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission, envisages an investment of approximately ₹30,000 crore and a targeted annual capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnes.

A special purpose vehicle involving the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board and Visakhapatnam Port Authority has been formed to take the project forward.

Sonowal invited international shipbuilders, technology firms, equipment manufacturers and maritime investors to explore investment opportunities in the state. He identified shipbuilding and ship repair as sectors that could create new industrial capabilities and strengthen India’s position in the global maritime market.

Highlighting the Centre’s broader ambitions, the Minister said the government had set a target of making India one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations. He noted that ₹70,000 crore in financing support had been allocated for shipbuilding and other maritime activities to develop the required industrial capacity, technology and ecosystem.

National maritime initiatives to support India’s growth ambitions

Sonowal said Andhra Pradesh’s maritime development was aligned with the country’s broader strategy under initiatives such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

These programmes form part of India’s long-term maritime development roadmap, which envisages investments of around ₹80 lakh crore.

He also referred to the ₹10,000-crore Container Manufacturing Scheme aimed at promoting domestic container production and the proposed ₹10,000-crore Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to encourage greater use of India’s 12,000-kilometre coastline for cargo movement.

Another major project highlighted was the ₹80,000-crore deep-draft, all-weather mega container port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra, intended to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure.

According to the Minister, the four Global Maritime Investment Summits held under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have attracted investment commitments of approximately ₹25 lakh crore for the maritime sector.

Smart ports and digital technology to shape the future

Technology-led modernisation will be central to the next phase of port development, Sonowal said, pointing to the growing role of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automation and digital logistics platforms.

He said smart-port systems could improve operational efficiency, cargo handling and logistics competitiveness, giving Andhra Pradesh an opportunity to take a leading role in maritime digitalisation.

The Minister called for stronger cooperation between the Centre, the state government, industry and global investors to advance port infrastructure, shipbuilding, ship repair, coastal shipping, cruise tourism and maritime industrialisation.

Three strategic goals for Andhra Pradesh

Sonowal outlined three major ambitions for the state: becoming a leading destination for port-led development in line with the Prime Minister’s Saptadhara roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047; developing into a globally competitive shipbuilding and ship repair hub; and emerging as India’s eastern maritime gateway to ASEAN, East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

The 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 is being held in Visakhapatnam on November 12 and 13 under the theme “Navigating the New World Order: Trade | Technology | Trust | Thought Leadership”.

The summit brings together government representatives, industry leaders and international participants to discuss investment, trade, technology and global partnerships. The maritime development agenda outlined at the event places Andhra Pradesh at the centre of India’s efforts to expand port capacity, strengthen domestic shipbuilding and deepen its engagement with international trade networks.