Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) plans to invest around Rs 27,000 crore to develop a new greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
The project is expected to create around 90,000 jobs and significantly increase India’s shipbuilding capacity, the Maharashtra government said on September 15.
MDL signs agreement for Dighi project
MDL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Ltd (NSHIPML) for the project.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, according to an official government release.
Under the agreement, MDL plans to develop facilities capable of building at least 2 million gross tonnes of ships every year at Dighi.
Facility to build large commercial ships
The proposed shipbuilding cluster will have the infrastructure needed to construct large commercial vessels. The project will also include an industrial and supply chain network to support shipbuilding and related activities.
The Rs 27,000 crore investment will be used to develop shipbuilding infrastructure at the site and establish the supporting industrial ecosystem.
Maharashtra government backs shipbuilding expansion
The Dighi cluster is being jointly developed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and Mumbai Port Authority through NSHIPML.
NSHIPML was established as a special-purpose company to oversee the development of the project.
The project is being developed under the Centre’s Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster Development Plan and is expected to contribute to the goals of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Project expected to create 90,000 jobs
The Maharashtra government said the Dighi project could help expand India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity while attracting new technology and investment.
The cluster is also expected to generate skilled employment, strengthen the domestic supply chain and improve India’s competitiveness in the global maritime sector.
MDL plans modern shipbuilding facility
MDL Chairman and Managing Director Captain Jagmohan said the company would work with stakeholders to develop a modern shipbuilding facility at Dighi that can compete globally.
Jagmohan signed the MoU with NSHIPML Managing Director Pradeep P, according to the government release.
