India has taken a major step to strengthen its maritime sector as Gujarat lands a mega shipbuilding project with global ambitions.
The Centre has approved the project under the Greenfield Shipbuilding Development Scheme. The new development aims to increase India's shipbuilding capacity and reduce dependence on foreign facilities.
The mega shipbuilding project will also help Gujarat become a leading destination for heavy vessel construction.
The Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways approved the greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar. The project will be developed through NSHIP-Gujarat, a special purpose vehicle. It is jointly promoted by the ministry and the Gujarat Maritime Board. The project marks another major investment in India's growing maritime infrastructure.
The integrated maritime manufacturing cluster will come up at Kuchhadi in Porbandar district. The project will cover nearly 2,000 acres of land.
The cluster will include:
The facility is designed to build large commercial vessels. It will have an annual production capacity of 1.2 million to 1.5 million gross tonnage (GT).
The project is expected to significantly expand India's domestic shipbuilding capacity. It will also position Gujarat as a major center for heavy-tonnage vessel construction.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the next phase focuses on unlocking India's maritime potential. He said the government aims to improve competitiveness through minimum governance and greater efficiency. He added that the sector will play a key role in achieving the Viksit Bharat vision.
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The ministry also approved financial support for a ship repair facility in Vadinar. The project is worth ₹1,570 crore.
The facility had already received approval from the Union Cabinet. It will be jointly developed by Deendayal Port Authority, also known as Kandla Port, and Cochin Shipyard.
Under the Greenfield Shipbuilding Development Scheme, the government will provide assistance covering 25 percent of the project's capital infrastructure cost.
The ministry expects the facility to become one of India's leading ship repair hubs.
Once operational, the Vadinar facility will repair vessels measuring up to 300 meters in length. This will significantly increase India's ship repair capacity.
The project will also reduce the country's dependence on overseas repair yards for large commercial vessels. This could help lower repair costs and improve turnaround time for Indian shipping companies.
The two approved projects are expected to strengthen India's maritime ecosystem. They will support manufacturing, create employment, and improve the country's shipbuilding and repair capabilities.
With the Porbandar shipbuilding cluster and the Vadinar repair facility moving ahead, Gujarat is set to play a bigger role in India's long-term maritime growth strategy. The projects also reflect the government's focus on building world-class infrastructure to support the country's expanding shipping industry.
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