Andhra Pradesh Aims to Become Leading Maritime Hub with New Policy Initiatives

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has set a goal for Andhra Pradesh to become a Maritime Hub and a world-class maritime state, utilizing its strategic location and extensive coastline. In a recent review meeting, Naidu outlined a 10-point formula for a proposed maritime policy that aims to drive sustainable economic growth. He stressed the importance of innovative policies, infrastructure development, and efficient governance in developing the coastal belt.

The proposed maritime policy will focus on four pillars: Port development, Port proximal area development, shipbuilding clusters, and allied maritime activities. Naidu instructed officials to prioritize the development of high-capacity ports using a hub and spoke model, integrating port proximal areas with the departments of Industries, R&B, and Tourism. He emphasized the need to link all three Industrial Corridors of the state for future development and to involve the public as partners in infrastructure projects.

Naidu highlighted the importance of attracting global investors in sectors like shipbuilding and ship repairs to enhance industry standards and technology. He urged the implementation of a hybrid model for Inland Waterways and the integration of tourism and green energy initiatives within the maritime sector. Additionally, Naidu instructed officials to collaborate with institutions like the Indian Maritime University for knowledge sharing, skill development, and research, and to establish a state-of-the-art maritime university in Andhra Pradesh. Regulatory reforms, including best practices in Arbitration & Dispute Resolution mechanisms, are also on the agenda for the sector.

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