Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to explore the creation of a state-of-the-art greenfield shipyard on India’s eastern coast. This initiative is part of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, India’s long-term plan to strengthen maritime capabilities and the shipbuilding ecosystem.
Partnership for Maritime Growth
The MoU was signed on September 19, 2025, by Shri Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding) at MDL, and Dr. Darez Ahamed, IAS, Managing Director and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state’s nodal investment agency.
The ceremony, held in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and attended by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighting the central government’s commitment to expanding India’s maritime infrastructure and defense production.
Strategic Importance of the Eastern Coast Shipyard
The proposed facility aims to boost India’s shipbuilding capacity, enhance naval readiness, and strengthen commercial maritime operations. Placing the shipyard on the eastern coast complements existing infrastructure on the western coast, promotes balanced regional development, and creates high-value employment opportunities in Tamil Nadu.
As a Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, MDL brings decades of expertise in constructing advanced warships, submarines, and commercial vessels, a foundation that will guide the new shipyard toward becoming a center of maritime excellence.
