Minister Lokesh Invites Hyundai Shipbuilding Arm to Explore Marine Engineering Hub in AP

Andhra Pradesh has intensified its efforts to attract global investments in the maritime sector, with State IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh inviting HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) , a leading South Korean shipbuilding company under the Hyundai group, to establish a world-class shipbuilding and marine engineering hub in the state.

The invitation was extended during Lokesh’s meeting with senior company executives in Seoul on the sixth day of his South Korea visit. The discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in shipbuilding, offshore engineering and marine-based industries, sectors that are expected to play a significant role in Andhra Pradesh’s industrial growth strategy.

During the meeting, Lokesh interacted with Kwon Young-hoon, Global Business Director , and Hong Sun-joon, Team Leader , and highlighted the state’s natural and strategic advantages. He noted that Andhra Pradesh possesses a coastline of nearly 1,000 kilometres , making it one of India’s most significant maritime regions. Its location on the country’s eastern seaboard, coupled with a network of operational and emerging deep-water ports, provides an ideal environment for large-scale shipbuilding and marine engineering projects.

The minister also showcased the state’s expanding logistics infrastructure and emphasised the government’s “Speed of Doing Business” approach, which focuses on faster approvals, coordinated administrative support and transparent governance. These measures, he said, are designed to ensure that major investment projects move from proposal to execution without unnecessary delays.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s growing reputation among international investors, Lokesh pointed to the successful operations of South Korean companies such as Kia Motors , its supplier ecosystem and LG Electronics in the state. Their continued expansion, he said, reflects the confidence global manufacturers have in Andhra Pradesh’s business environment.

He further cited major investments currently being developed in the state, including a Google data centre , an ArcelorMittal integrated steel plant and a fighter aircraft manufacturing project . According to Lokesh, these projects demonstrate the increasing trust that global corporations place in Andhra Pradesh’s industrial capabilities. He added that the state is attracting nearly 25 percent of the investments coming into India , underscoring its emergence as a preferred investment destination.

Inviting HD KSOE representatives to visit Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh encouraged them to assess multiple locations for a potential shipbuilding and marine engineering facility. He assured the company that state authorities would provide full support in identifying sites that meet its technological, commercial and logistics requirements.

With its extensive coastline, modern infrastructure and investor-friendly policies, Andhra Pradesh is seeking to position itself as a trusted maritime manufacturing and shipbuilding hub , capable of serving both domestic and international markets while generating employment and strengthening the state’s industrial ecosystem.