Andhra Pradesh is set to reshape its economic landscape with a massive port-led industrialisation programme anchored around eight major ports and nearly 1,000 km of coastline. The State government aims to handle nearly 20% of India’s total cargo throughput once the greenfield and brownfield port network becomes fully operational.
The Andhra Pradesh Maritime Development Board (APMDB) is spearheading development of new ports at Mulapeta, Machilipatnam, Kakinada, and Ramayapatnam, with private players investing over ₹16,000 crore in the first phase. Large tracts of land have already been acquired to create dedicated industrial clusters, each spread over 5,000 acres or more, around eight strategic ports.
Officials said the government is targeting 75% port capacity utilisation by 2030, supported by a maritime skill ecosystem that aims to train 5,000 professionals by 2028, alongside plans to set up maritime and skill universities.
To strengthen connectivity and industrial readiness, APMDB has proposed mobilising over ₹10,000 crore under Sagarmala Phase-II for infrastructure such as road and rail links, utilities, logistics parks and coastal industrial corridors.
In an exclusive interaction with Bizz Buzz, Muralidhran Krishnamoorthy, port evangelist and former CEO of APMDB, described the initiative as a “bold step toward transforming India’s eastern seaboard.” He said Andhra Pradesh is rolling out world-class, sector-specific industrial cities integrated directly with deep-water ports including Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam and Kakinada Deep Water Port, in addition to the new facilities.
Each port cluster will focus on high-potential sectors such as steel and aluminium, automobiles and EVs, petrochemicals and refining, renewable energy, green ammonia and hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, power equipment, and more. Discussions are already underway with a major steel producer, a refinery operator, top pharma players, and investors in LNG terminals, green fuel projects and marine energy systems.
A significant component of the plan includes developing shipyards, dry-dock complexes, ship repair and refit hubs, as well as environment-friendly ship-breaking facilities and a dedicated defence manufacturing and MRO corridor.
Krishnamoorthy said the initiative will generate large-scale employment and deliver a substantial economic multiplier, positioning Andhra Pradesh as one of India’s most competitive maritime and industrial gateways.
