Ports in Andhra Pradesh

Context: Information given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Ports in India are classified into two categories based on administrative control. Major Ports are governed by the Central Government, while Other Than Major Ports (OTMPs), also known as Minor ports, are administered by the respective State Governments.

• At present, India has 12 operational Major Ports. These include:
  1. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in West Bengal,
  2. Paradip Port in Odisha,
  3. Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh,
  4. Chennai Port in Tamil Nadu, 
  5. Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu, 
  6. V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu,
  7. Cochin Port in Kerala,
  8. New Mangalore Port in Karnataka,
  9. Mormugao Port in Goa,
  10. Mumbai Port in Maharashtra
  11. Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra,
  12. Deendayal Port in Gujarat.
• In addition to these, two new ports—Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay Port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—have been notified as Major Ports but are not yet operational.
• Other Than Major Ports are controlled by State Governments, and India currently has sixty-eight operational OTMPs across different coastal states and Union Territories.
• Andhra Pradesh has 5 Other Than Major Ports (OTMPs), namely:
  1. Kakinada Anchorage Port,
  2. Kakinada Seaports Port,
  3. Rawa Port,
  4. Krishnapatnam Port, and
  5. Gangavaram Port.
• Apart from these operational ports, 4 new ports are under construction in Andhra Pradesh. These include:
  1. Mulapeta Port (formerly known as Bhavanapadu Port) in Srikakulam district,
  2. Machilipatnam Port in Krishna district,
  3. Ramayapatnam Port in SPSR Nellore district, and
  4. Kakinada SEZ Port in Kakinada district.

• The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to modernize and improve port infrastructure. These measures include mechanization of existing berths and terminals, construction of new terminals, capital dredging to allow larger vessels, and strengthening of connectivity through roads, railways, and waterways.
• Digital reforms have also been introduced, such as elimination of manual paperwork, direct port delivery systems, installation of container scanners, electronic delivery of invoices and payments, RFID-based gate automation, and the Maritime Single Window system known as SagarSetu 2.0.
• These reforms aim to reduce vessel turnaround time and improve operational efficiency.
• To support long-term port development, the government has launched several schemes and missions. One of the most important among them is the Sagarmala Programme, which provides financial assistance for port-related development projects.
• Sagarmala operates through five pillars: port modernization, port connectivity, port-led industrialization, coastal community development, and promotion of coastal shipping and inland water transport.
• Environmental sustainability has also been prioritized in port development.
• The HaritSagar guidelines have been introduced to create environmentally friendly port ecosystems, while the Green Tug Transition Programme aims to replace conventional fuel-based harbour tugboats with cleaner and greener alternatives.
• In addition, the Cruise Bharat Mission has been launched to promote cruise tourism and develop India as a global cruise destination.

Ports play a crucial role in India’s economic and strategic development because they facilitate international trade, strengthen logistics networks, support industrial growth, enhance coastal economies, and improve maritime security. Efficient ports reduce transportation costs, increase export competitiveness, and integrate India more effectively into global supply chains.

India’s port system consists of centrally administered Major Ports and state-administered minor ports. Andhra Pradesh currently has one Major Port at Visakhapatnam, five operational state ports, and four ports under construction. Together with national initiatives such as Sagarmala and digital modernization measures, these developments are expected to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure and support long-term economic growth.