Indian shipbuilder highlights state’s shipbuilding, repair, and green shipping initiatives
Singapore, 28 March 2025 – The prestigious four-day Singapore Maritime Week 2025 (SMW-25) successfully concluded on 28th March at the Suntec Convention Centre. The event brought together maritime nations, including India, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Russia, China, and others from across the world, to discuss collaborations, emerging technologies, green shipping, and digital business.
India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability, Dr Amy Khor, jointly inaugurated the India Pavilion at SMW-25. With India and Singapore playing pivotal roles in global maritime trade, the India Pavilion served as a hub for industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore opportunities in port development, shipping technology, and sustainable maritime initiatives.
A key highlight of SMW-25 was the participation of San Marine, a prominent private Indian shipbuilder from Andhra Pradesh, which positioned the state as a rising powerhouse in the global shipbuilding and ship repair industry. Under the visionary leadership of Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, the state is emerging as a strategic maritime hub, leveraging its 1,000-kilometre-long coastline, deep-draft ports, and pro-industry policies.
San Marine, representing Andhra Pradesh’s growing maritime ambitions, engaged with global stakeholders at SMW-25 to attract investment and showcase the state’s robust shipbuilding ecosystem, which is being developed in collaboration with leading maritime nations such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
The Andhra Pradesh state government has been aggressively promoting the region as a shipbuilding, repair, and recycling destination, with dedicated industrial policies tailored to boost the sector. Speaking at SMW-25, San Marine’s leadership emphasised the advantages Andhra Pradesh offers, including:
- Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial corridors to support shipbuilding supply chains.
- Ship recycling yards in compliance with the Hong Kong Convention, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in sustainable ship recycling.
- Government-backed incentives, such as tax breaks, land allotments, and single-window clearances for maritime investors.
With Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s forward-looking policies, Andhra Pradesh is attracting shipbuilding conglomerates, global shipowners, offshore energy firms, and naval contractors to establish operations in the state.
At SMW-25, San Marine announced plans to expand its shipyard operations in Kakinada, reinforcing its commitment to building and repairing vessels of up to 10,000 DWT. The company engaged in high-level discussions with Singapore-based shipping firms, classification societies, and green shipping technology providers to explore joint ventures.
Speaking at the event, San Marine’s Founder & CEO, Sk Ahmed Alisha, stated:
“Andhra Pradesh is poised to become South Asia’s premier shipbuilding hub. With the unwavering support of the Central and State governments and investor-friendly policies, we aim to position Andhra Pradesh as a global centre for shipbuilding, repair, and green ship recycling.”
San Marine also highlighted its alignment with India’s Make in India and Maritime India Vision 2030 initiatives, focusing on eco-friendly shipbuilding practices and the adoption of advanced automation and lean manufacturing.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership has been instrumental in fostering an industry-friendly ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. His government has launched initiatives to:
- Develop Andhra Pradesh as India’s largest integrated shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine logistics hub on the east coast.
- Enhance port connectivity through road, rail, and inland waterways.
- Facilitate Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to attract global shipowners and investors.
- Support skill development programmes to create a world-class workforce for shipbuilding and maritime services.
With Andhra Pradesh’s strategic location, investor-friendly governance, and San Marine’s ambitious expansion plans, the state is well on its way to becoming a key player in India’s shipbuilding and repair industry.
As SMW-25 concluded, San Marine’s participation reinforced its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and maritime excellence, setting the stage for a new era of growth in Andhra Pradesh’s and India’s shipbuilding sector.
