VPA plans to make Vizag maritime education capital of India, says Port Chairperson Angamuthu

Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairman M. Angamuthu has said that VPA has drawn up plans to provide skill training to students and entrepreneurs in maritime trade-related activities so that they can meet the growing challenges and take advantage of the increasing opportunities in the maritime sector.

Addressing the delegates and student participants at the inaugural of ‘Vizag Skill Sail – 2025 – Skill Development Conclave with Green Port Start Up’ at Novotel, here on Friday (August 22), the VPA Chairman explained that the plan was to provide skill training to at least 5,000 students and prospective entrepreneurs initially, and to train 50,000 by 2030. The trainees would be provided opportunities not just in India but globally. He invited start ups to come with innovative ideas to promote green technologies.

In alignment with the Viksit Bharat initiatives of the Government of India and the vision of the Government of A.P. to make Visakhapatnam as the ‘financial capital of AP’, VPA was planning to make Visakhapatnam as the ‘maritime education capital of India’ through skill development. He elaborated on the port-led prosperity of the city.

There was a shortage of skills in the dredging sector, and the Visakhapatnam-based Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) would focus on providing those skills

District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad commended the VPA for coming up with the Skill Sail programme to provide opportunities to youngsters in the maritime sector, and to encourage start ups. Government of A.P. was also keen on implementation of its ‘Swarnandhra 2047’ vision to make A.P. $2.4 trillion economy in alignment with the Government of India’s objectives by identifying various sectors for growth.

A.P., which has the third largest coastline in the country, has vast potential for maritime development. Vizag has been identified as a ‘growth hub’ with eight districts in the region starting from Srikakulam to Kakinada. A major part of it would be port-led manufacturing.

Stressing on the importance of skills, he said: “Demographic dividend will pay only when we have competent workforce, otherwise it will become demographic burden”. He also mentioned the impact of technology, particularly AI, in the area of logistics.

Principal Commissioner of Customs N. Sridhar spoke on the vast scope for employment potential in the maritime sector. He appreciated the initiatives of Mr. Angamuthu for the development of the port during the last two years.

Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways TK Ramachandran, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping& Waterways R. Lakshmanan and Deputy Chairman of VPA Durgesh Dubey spoke.