The Andhra Pradesh Government’s plan to construct landlord ports at Bhavanapadu (Srikakulam district), Ramayapatnam (Prakasam district) and Machilipatnam (Krishna district) is intended to give further boost to maritime trade, currently being done mainly by the state’s only major port at Visakhapatnam and the private ports at Krishnapatnam (Nellore), Gangavaram (Visakhapatnam) and Kakinada (East Godavari). The three private ports together are handling over 100 mn tonne of cargo a year. The government recently got three additional berths constructed at Kakinada Port at a cost of Rs.3 bn, taking their total number to nine. The public sector port at Visakhapatnam is handling about 65 MT every year. Tenders are under preparation for the Bhavanapadu and Machilipatnam ports.Contact: Government of Andhra Pradesh.Tel: 0863-244 1024.Website: www.apindustries.gov.in