The approvals include a greenfield shipbuilding cluster on the western coast and financial support for one of India’s largest ship repair facilities.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has accorded in‑principle approval for a greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar district of Gujarat and a state‑of‑the‑art ship repair facility at the port town of Vadinar in the Gulf of Kutch.
Both projects fall under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), a key component of the Centre’s strategy to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding and repair capabilities under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India’s maritime sector has undergone a historic transformation through landmark reforms, world‑class infrastructure and unprecedented policy support… The next phase is to unlock the full potential of India’s maritime industry through minimal governance, enhanced competitiveness and greater efficiency so that the sector becomes a key driver of Viksit Bharat.”
The approvals cover the establishment of a greenfield shipbuilding cluster on the western coast and financial assistance for one of the country’s largest ship repair facilities. The cluster will be developed through the National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park‑Gujarat (NSHIP‑Gujarat), a special purpose vehicle jointly promoted by MoPSW and the Gujarat Maritime Board.
Spread across nearly 2,000 acres at Kuchhadi in Porbandar district, the integrated maritime manufacturing cluster will comprise modern shipyards, ancillary manufacturing units, common infrastructure and capability development centres. Designed to build large commercial vessels, it will have an annual production capacity of 1.2 to 1.5 million gross tonnage (GT), significantly expanding India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity while positioning Gujarat as a hub for heavy‑tonnage vessel construction.
Major Ship Repair Hub
The second project approved under the scheme is a ₹15.7 billion ship repair facility at Vadinar, to be jointly developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd and Deendayal Port Authority. The project had earlier received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on May 5. It will receive 25 per cent financial assistance on eligible capital infrastructure.
Sonowal added, “These two projects will significantly enhance the competitiveness of India’s maritime sector. As we continue to build world‑class capacity and advance the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, we are creating the foundation for a modern, efficient and future‑ready Indian shipbuilding and ship repair industry that is globally competitive, resilient and trade‑friendly.”
The brownfield expansion will include a 650‑metre jetty, two large floating dry docks, workshops and supporting marine infrastructure. Leveraging Vadinar’s natural deep draft, strategic location along major international shipping routes and proximity to Mundra and Deendayal ports, the facility is expected to emerge as one of India’s premier ship repair hubs. Once operational, it will enable domestic repair of vessels up to 300 metres in length, substantially expanding India’s ship repair capacity while reducing dependence on overseas yards.
SbDS is a central pillar of the government’s broader shipbuilding policy framework aimed at accelerating capacity creation, attracting investments, promoting indigenous manufacturing and increasing private sector participation.