VISAKHAPATNAM: The National Shipping Board (NSB) has advised central government to establish the National Maritime University in the city and also take steps to develop Visakhapatnam port as a major seaport, according to NSB member Sandeep Chandra.NSB, a statutory body, that advises the Union government on issues related to shipping, has urged the Ministry of Shipping to take steps to increase the capacity of Visakhapatnam port and also set up an office of Principal Maritime Office here to enable merchant navy aspirants from Coastal Andhra take examination, apply and secure licences for joining merchant navy without having to go to Chennai for it. It would encourage local youth, including fisherfolk to join merchant navy, Sandeep Chandra said.The Visakhapatnam port favours inland cargo movement and steps would be taken to promote inland cargo movement from here, he added.The NSB member said that the expansion of the Vizakhapatnam Port would be taken up without hurting the sentiments of the locals who were opposing it. All steps would be taken to satisfactorily relocate the displaced persons and the port would adopt modern technologies to reduce pollution, he explained.Another major port is likely to be set up at Nakkapalle in the district only it has all the conditions favourable for setting up a major port, he explained.Andhra Pradesh has a very long coastline and there is a need to set up more nonmajor ports as business through ports would increase in the coming days, he opined.
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