APM Terminals, a subsidiary of AP Moller-Maersk, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board to develop ports in the state. The investment is valued at ₹9,000 crore and is expected to create 10,000 direct jobs. The agreement, signed in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, is a significant step towards transforming Andhra Pradesh into the “Gateway of India’s East Coast”. The company will develop and upgrade the ports of Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Moolapeta, and install modern terminals and cargo handling systems.
Chief Minister Naidu urged APM Terminals to not only cater to the international cargo market but also to assist in creating a robust ecosystem for domestic cargo transportation. The Chief Minister has directed officials to develop an integrated logistics plan to position Andhra Pradesh as India’s logistics hub. The plan aims to ensure that cargo from neighboring states like Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha can be transported at the lowest possible cost. The government also plans to develop a port or harbor every 50 kilometers along the state’s 1,053-kilometer coastline.