A view of third Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) Shivalik at Visakhapatnam Port, in Andhra Pradesh.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal accorded a ceremonial welcome to the nation’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) Shivalik at the Visakhapatnam port, on its maiden call to the nation on Monday (October 6, 2025).
Shivalik, recently inducted under the Indian flag by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Ltd. on September 10, represented a significant leap in India’s maritime and energy logistics capability.
Mr. Sonowal congratulated the SCI team and lauded the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) for facilitating the vessel’s smooth handling during its inaugural LPG consignment operation, at the port’s LPG terminal.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sonowal remarked that the induction of Shivalik under the Indian flag is a proud moment for the nation and a testament to India’s growing strength in global shipping and energy trade. He highlighted that this milestone is in perfect alignment with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Maritime India Vision 2030, reinforcing India’s pursuit of self-reliance, indigenous ownership, and global competitiveness in the maritime sector.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Sonowal said that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has adopted a proactive approach to develop a shipbuilding centre at Dugarajapatnam in the State, and the Centre will support it in all aspects.
“As per the vision for 2030 and 2047, India is going to become the most developed nation in the world. By 2030, India is going to become one of the top 10 shipbuilding nations and will be among the top five by 2047.”
Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring door-to-door gas delivery across India, noting that such initiatives bring the nation closer to achieving universal energy accessibility. The induction of Shivalik is one of the steps to achieve the goal, he added.
The Visakhapatnam Port Authority chairman Angamuthu commended SCI for its progressive initiative and reaffirmed VPA’s commitment to providing all possible support. He assured that the Port will work closely with the A.P. State government to transform Visakhapatnam into a leading energy logistics hub on the eastern coast.
Published – October 07, 2025 03:45 am IST
