India is setting up eight major shipbuilding clusters along its coast to strengthen its domestic maritime manufacturing sector. This includes five new greenfield locations in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, and three brownfield upgrades in Vadinar and Kandla (Gujarat) and near Cochin Port (Kerala).
Land Finalised and Infrastructure Work Underway
Union Shipping Secretary T K Ramachandran confirmed that all required approvals, including land acquisition, are in place. State governments have already formed special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to implement the projects. Work has also begun on related infrastructure such as roads, rail connectivity, and seaside facilities.
Strategic Push Under Maritime India Vision
Currently, India holds less than 1% of the global shipbuilding market, far behind China, South Korea, and Japan. Under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Vision 2047, the country aims to rank among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and reach the top 5 by 2047.
Integrated Maritime Ecosystem Planned
The planned greenfield clusters will house ship manufacturing units along with services like component supply, leasing, insurance, and bunkering. The government is also seeking global partnerships, particularly with firms from South Korea, Japan, and Scandinavia.₹2 Lakh Crore Investment Over 5–6 Years
The total investment for the initiative is estimated at ₹2 lakh crore over a five to six-year period. Supporting measures announced in the Union Budget for FY26 include a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund, tax incentives, easier access to finance, and a revised Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme.
