Coming Soon: Andhra’s ₹30K-Cr Shipbuilding Cluster

Government of India is likely to grant in-principle approval this month for a proposed ₹30,000-crore shipbuilding cluster in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at strengthening the country’s maritime manufacturing capacity and expanding the fleet of India-flagged vessels.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the mega project is expected to significantly enhance India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and forms part of the government’s broader strategy to develop domestic maritime infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign-built vessels.

Sonowal also said that several long-pending inland waterways and port expansion projects in West Bengal could gain momentum if a Bharatiya Janata Party-led government comes to power in the state.

Commenting on global shipping disruptions, the minister said no India-flagged or Indian-linked vessels have been required to pay tolls at the Strait of Hormuz. He described the ongoing crisis in West Asia as one of the most significant disruptions facing global shipping in recent years and noted that India has repatriated more than 3,000 seafarers since tensions escalated in the region.

According to official data cited by the minister, shipping connectivity to alternative ports across West Asia has been expanded substantially, with sailings increasing from 105 in February to 232 in April to maintain trade links and minimise disruption to cargo movement.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.