Visakhapatnam Port Claims Nearly Half of India Seafood Exports as Vizag Airport Prepares August 17 Shutdown
Visakhapatnam continues to anchor India marine export trade, with the port processing nearly half of all national seafood shipments in 2025-26. At the same time, the city airport is set to suspend commercial flight operations from August 17 as civil aviation services transfer to the newly built Bhogapuram International Airport. The two developments underscore a period of significant transition for Vizag trade and transport infrastructure.
🏢 Port Dominates National Seafood Exports
The Visakhapatnam Port Authority has retained its dominant role in marine trade, accounting for 48.89 per cent of the country total seafood exports in 2025-26, according to data tabled before Parliament by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The figures were disclosed in response to a Lok Sabha query raised by MPs Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy and CM Ramesh, who asked about the implementation of the One District One Product scheme in Andhra Pradesh. The Ministry cited statistics from the Marine Products Export Development Authority to highlight the port consistent performance. In the previous financial year 2024-25, Visakhapatnam Port share stood even higher at 50.87 per cent of national seafood exports. During 2023-24, the port similarly contributed a substantial share of the country marine shipments, underlining its sustained relevance as a hub for seafood trade. The ODOP scheme, which seeks to identify and promote a signature product from each district, brought Andhra Pradesh marine exports into the parliamentary spotlight. The data underscores how Visakhapatnam Port functions as the backbone of the seafood export infrastructure, consistently processing nearly half of all outbound marine products from the country year after year. [5]
🏢 Vizag Airport to Cease Commercial Flights from August 17
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the suspension of scheduled commercial flight operations from Visakhapatnam Airport, effective August 17, 2026. The decision comes as air services are set to commence from the newly constructed Bhogapuram airport on the same date. In a significant administrative transition, the international airport code VTZ, currently assigned to Visakhapatnam Airport, will be transferred to Bhogapuram airport from August 17. The move marks a definitive shift in the region civil aviation infrastructure, with Bhogapuram replacing Visakhapatnam as the primary commercial air gateway for the area. While commercial operations will halt, Visakhapatnam Airport will not be fully decommissioned. Operations involving the Indian Air Force, armed forces, police, and VIP aircraft will continue to use the existing Visakhapatnam facility. The transfer of the VTZ code signals a formal recognition of Bhogapuram as the new international air hub for the region. Passengers and airlines currently operating through Visakhapatnam Airport will need to reroute through Bhogapuram once services begin on August 17. The transition represents a major shift in connectivity for Visakhapatnam and the surrounding Andhra Pradesh region. [10]