AP, Maharashtra Explore Maritime Cooperation

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra would aim at better cooperation in ports, shipbuilding, fishing harbours and logistics, with Maharashtra’s ports and fisheries minister Nitesh Rane expressing interest in adopting some of AP’s maritime practices.

Rane met AP roads, infrastructure and investments minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy at the Secretariat here on Thursday. Officials of the two maritime boards participated in the meeting.

AP officials presented details of Greenfield ports, fishing harbours, fish-landing centres, port-led industrial development, PPP projects and the state’s new maritime policy. They explained measures to attract investments, expand industries, strengthen logistics and create jobs.

Rane appreciated AP’s plan to develop three Greenfield ports under the landlord model, with the Maritime Board developing infrastructure and private agencies operating the facilities. He said the model could increase private participation and generate revenue, with the ports expected to yield 12–15 per cent revenue in future.

Janardhan Reddy said the government was developing AP as a maritime, port and logistics hub under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Each Greenfield port involves an estimated investment of around `4,500 crore, with completion targeted by 2027. Port-based industrial clusters, warehouses, logistics facilities and ancillary industries are also planned.

He said shipbuilding was being promoted at Duggarajapatnam, Machilipatnam and Kakinada. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Goa Shipyard have entered MoUs to anchor projects at Duggarajapatnam and Machilipatnam respectively, while a Kakinada proposal is progressing.

The state is also focusing on skill training for youth for jobs in shipbuilding, marine engineering, logistics and allied sectors.

AP’s model of developing fishing harbours through the maritime board, rather than the fisheries department, also drew Maharashtra’s interest. Infrastructure is provided for fishermen without a profit motive, with operations proposed to be handed over to experienced private agencies.

Janardhan Reddy said approvals had been secured for the Vijayawada-Amaravati water metro and nine locations had been identified for seaplane services. A Srisailam-Vijayawada seaplane trial run had already been conducted.

Multimodal logistics parks are being planned to connect Rayalaseema with ports, railways, national highways and inland waterways for faster movement of horticulture and other farm produce.

The Centre has also been requested to allot around 20,000 acres of coastal salt land as a future maritime land bank.

Officials said a minister-led task force had been formed to expedite infrastructure projects by resolving land acquisition, approval and coordination issues. The two ministers agreed to exchange best practices and technical expertise and explore investments, stressing greater cooperation among coastal states.