Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is planning investments of around ₹6,000 crore in two projects at Vallarpadam in Kochi, Kerala, and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, as it looks to expand its shipbuilding and repair capabilities.
The state-owned company plans to invest approximately ₹3,000 crore to ₹4,000 crore in a steel block fabrication facility at Vallarpadam. The facility is expected to support the construction of larger vessels by increasing the company’s steel fabrication capacity.
CSL Chairman and Managing Director Jose V J said the company’s existing steel throughput was insufficient to meet the requirements of its newly commissioned larger dry dock. The proposed facility will require around 78 acres of land, including approximately 60 acres to be leased from Cochin Port and 18 acres from the Kerala government.
Separately, CSL is exploring an investment of around ₹1,500 crore to ₹2,000 crore at V O Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi. The proposed unit would focus on ship repairs and the construction of small and medium-sized vessels, including tugboats. The final investment will be determined after a detailed project report is prepared.
The expansion plans come as CSL strengthens its position in the domestic and international maritime sectors. The company has an existing order book of approximately ₹22,300 crore, comprising ₹21,100 crore in shipbuilding orders and ₹1,200 crore in ship repair orders.
CSL has also emerged as the lowest bidder for five Next Generation Survey Vessels for the Indian Navy, with an estimated order value of ₹5,000 crore. The contract is yet to be formally signed and will be added to the order book after completion of the process.
The company is also leading the development of ship repair infrastructure in Kochi and Vadinar, Gujarat. The proposed investments at Vallarpadam and Thoothukudi are expected to further strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and expand capacity to serve commercial and defence requirements.
