Andhra Pradesh govt approves proposal for India's first autonomous shipyard project: All you need to know

The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a proposal from Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd (SDEPL) that will see India's first Autonomous Maritime Shipyard and Systems Development Centre built in the state.

29.58 acres of land have been allocated for the project at the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour of Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district on a lease basis via the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB).

This includes 7.58 acres of waterfront land and 22 acres of harbour land, ensuring direct sea access for shipbuilding, testing, and deployment activities, as per a UNI report citing an official government release.

An autonomous shipyard is a highly advanced shipyard where robotics and AI are used extensively to optimise key production steps, improve workforce capabilities, and better meet sustainability goals.

Indeed, the new shipyard will focus on the construction of "autonomous surface vessels, underwater systems, and integrated intelligent maritime solutions, including command, control and mission-management technologies", the report added.

The specialised shipyard, which will have both civilian and defence applications, is expected to create around 750 jobs (300 direct jobs and 450 indirect jobs), strengthening the maritime ecosystem along the state’s 1053-kilometre-long coastline.

This development of the shipyard will be a crucial addition to India's efforts to modernise its maritime ecosystem, enhance coastal surveillance, and improve offshore security with minimal human intervention, in line with India's larger ambitions under the Maritime Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

According to the proposal cleared by the State Investment Promotion Committee (SIPC)—that was later approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB)—on December 4, construction will begin this month.

The state government has also directed that the APMB and the Fisheries, Water Resources, and Energy departments oversee the shipyard's construction.

While machinery installation is slated for completion by June 2026, trial production has been scheduled for October 2026. Commercial operations will begin a month after that.