Sonowal accords ceremonial welcome to Very Large Gas Carrier Shivalik

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal accorded a ceremonial welcome to the nation’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) Shivalik on the Visakhapatnam port, on its maiden name to the nation on Monday (October 6, 2025).

Shivalik, not too long ago inducted underneath the Indian flag by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Ltd. on September 10, represented a big leap in India’s maritime and power logistics functionality.

Mr. Sonowal congratulated the SCI crew and lauded the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) for facilitating the vessel’s clean dealing with throughout its inaugural LPG consignment operation, on the port’s LPG terminal.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sonowal remarked that the induction of Shivalik underneath the Indian flag is a proud second for the nation and a testomony to India’s rising power in world delivery and power commerce. He highlighted that this milestone is in good alignment with the imaginative and prescient of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Maritime India Vision 2030, reinforcing India’s pursuit of self-reliance, indigenous possession, and world competitiveness within the maritime sector.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Sonowal stated that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has adopted a proactive strategy to develop a shipbuilding centre at Dugarajapatnam within the State, and the Centre will assist it in all features.

“As per the imaginative and prescient for 2030 and 2047, India goes to grow to be probably the most developed nation on the earth. By 2030, India goes to grow to be one of many prime 10 shipbuilding nations and can be among the many prime 5 by 2047.”

Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of making certain door-to-door fuel supply throughout India, noting that such initiatives carry the nation nearer to reaching common power accessibility. The induction of Shivalik is likely one of the steps to realize the objective, he added.

The Visakhapatnam Port Authority chairman Angamuthu counseled SCI for its progressive initiative and reaffirmed VPA’s dedication to offering all doable assist. He assured that the Port will work carefully with the A.P. State authorities to rework Visakhapatnam into a number one power logistics hub on the japanese coast.