Centre approves Greenfield shipbuilding & ship repair projects under maritime push in Gujarat
New Delhi, July 15 (TNT): The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has accorded in-principle approval to two major maritime infrastructure projects in Gujarat—a greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar district and a ship repair facility at Vadinar—to strengthen India’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities.
The projects have been approved under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), a key component of the government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aimed at positioning India as a global shipbuilding hub.
The proposed Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster will be developed through the National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park-Gujarat (NSHIP-Gujarat), a special purpose vehicle promoted jointly by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Gujarat Maritime Board.
Spread over nearly 2,000 acres at Kuchhadi in Porbandar district, the integrated maritime manufacturing cluster will include shipyards, ancillary manufacturing units, common infrastructure and capability development centres. The facility is expected to produce 1.2 to 1.5 million gross tonnes (GT) of commercial vessels annually.
The ministry has also granted in-principle approval under the scheme for financial assistance to a ₹1,570-crore ship repair facility at Vadinar in the Gulf of Kutch, which will be jointly developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) and the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA).
The project, which had received Cabinet approval in May this year, will receive financial assistance covering 25 per cent of eligible capital infrastructure under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme.
The facility will include a 650-metre jetty, two large floating dry docks, workshops and supporting marine infrastructure, enabling the repair of commercial vessels of up to 300 metres in length.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the projects would significantly enhance the competitiveness of India’s maritime sector by strengthening domestic manufacturing, ship repair capabilities and supply chains while generating employment.
The ministry said the Shipbuilding Development Scheme aims to accelerate capacity creation, attract investments, promote indigenous manufacturing and increase private sector participation in the shipbuilding sector.
TNT KS
