Author: News Desk
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…
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL) has signed a Rs 40,000-crore agreement with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to develop integrated food manufacturing facilities across India, according to sources. The MoU was inked at the World Food India 2025 event. Ambitious Investment Plan The investment was first announced at Reliance Industries’ annual general meeting in August. The company plans to establish “Asia’s largest integrated food parks” featuring AI-driven automation, robotics, and sustainable technologies. RCPL’s Rapid Growth Emerging from Reliance Retail as a direct subsidiary of Reliance Industries, RCPL has become one of India’s fastest-growing FMCG companies, generating over Rs 11,000…
After 62 years of service, the Indian Air Force will bid farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets at a grand decommissioning ceremony in Chandigarh on Friday. These Russian-origin supersonic jets have been a cornerstone of India’s air power since the 1960s. A Historic Send-Off Air Chief Marshal A P Singh will fly the last sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft, marking the culmination of decades of operational service. The ceremony will include a ceremonial flypast, a water cannon salute, and the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the chief guest. Among the pilots participating will be Squadron Leader…
India has launched an ambitious Rs 70,000 crore initiative to reshape its shipbuilding industry. The plan includes granting infrastructure status to large ships, which is expected to ease financing, unlock new capacity, and attract substantial investment. The government projects this could generate nearly 30 lakh jobs and bring in investments of around Rs 4.5 lakh crore. A Policy Shift with Big Implications By giving large ships infrastructure status, the government allows shipyards to use vessels as collateral for loans, lowering borrowing costs in a capital-intensive industry. This move aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and 2047, which aims to raise…
US President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled another round of sweeping import taxes, saying he will impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods ranging from pharmaceutical drugs to kitchen cabinets. “I’m putting a 100 per cent import tax on pharmaceutical drugs unless the companies are building plants right here in the United States,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Breaking ground, under construction, that’s the deal. No exceptions.” Trump’s latest tariff plan, which takes effect October 1, includes a 50 per cent tax on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, 30 per cent on upholstered furniture, and 25 per…
Singapore’s Seatrium Offshore Technology (SOT) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India’s largest shipbuilder, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation in the region’s offshore sector. The agreement focuses on Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Asian clients, combining Seatrium’s offshore engineering know-how with CSL’s infrastructure and fabrication strengths. The MoU, signed virtually, outlines plans for joint marketing, project execution, and technology exchange, while also opening doors to other offshore markets in Asia. Winston Cheng, Senior Vice President at Seatrium, said the deal represents a strategic move to grow the company’s Asian footprint, noting India’s rising offshore…
The Indian Navy is preparing to launch a landmark ₹80,000 crore tender for four state-of-the-art Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), advanced amphibious warships capable of conducting a wide array of military and humanitarian missions. This acquisition forms a key pillar of India’s naval modernization strategy, enhancing its operational reach in the Indian Ocean amidst rising regional tensions. Leading Indian shipyards—including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)—are expected to participate, potentially partnering with global defence firms such as Navantia (Spain), Naval Group (France), and Fincantieri (Italy) through technology transfer agreements.…
Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, is preparing to begin commercial flight operations soon, providing a major boost to air connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR). Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have confirmed that flights will start before the end of 2025. Construction and DevelopmentConstruction began in 2019 and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase features a single runway and a passenger terminal capable of handling 12 million passengers annually. Full development by 2050 envisions six runways and capacity for 70 million passengers per year,…
FedEx is introducing a dedicated Dublin (DUB) → Indianapolis (IND) air cargo route, prioritizing healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value shipments. The new connection trims transit times by a full day compared with existing options, giving shippers a faster, more reliable channel for time-sensitive cargo. This is part of FedEx’s broader push into healthcare logistics. Key hubs, including IND and Memphis, are CEIV Pharma-certified, meeting global standards for temperature-sensitive and medical cargo. With healthcare accounting for nearly half of weighted export volume growth in FedEx’s U.S. operations, this route underscores the company’s commitment to expanding in this critical sector.
Global private equity firm KKR, through its Kerala hospital chain Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH), has acquired a majority stake in Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode for approximately ₹1,000–1,200 crore, marking its third major hospital investment in the state. Meitra Hospital is a quaternary-care facility with 230 beds, offering advanced services including heart and vascular care, bone, joint and spine care, neurosciences, gastro-sciences, nephro-urology, bone marrow transplant, and cancer immunotherapy. This acquisition follows BMH’s previous purchase of the 350-bed Chazhikattu Multi Speciality Hospital in Thodupuzha. Reports also indicate BMH is in early discussions to acquire Star Care Hospital in Kozhikode. KKR’s renewed push into hospital assets is supported by its earlier successful exit from Max…