CHENNAI – 13 Nov, 2026 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 Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said in Visakhapatnam at the 31st CII Partnership Summit held in the city today.
Addressing at the summit, Sonowal highlighted 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 credited the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the able support from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for creating the conditions to accelerate the state's maritime ambitions. He said the Centre was committed to working closely with the state government, industry and global investors to unlock its potential.