Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced the establishment of shipbuilding and repair clusters in five key states—Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Odisha. This ambitious initiative is part of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways’ broader strategic plan to enhance India’s maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding capabilities.
The project marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to boost India’s maritime industry and aligns with the Ministry’s goal to position India as a global hub for shipbuilding and ship repair services. By establishing these clusters, the government aims to promote self-reliance in maritime infrastructure, reduce dependence on foreign shipyards, and enhance India’s ability to meet domestic and international demand for vessels and repair services.
These clusters are expected to attract significant private sector investments, creating new job opportunities and fostering technological advancements in the maritime sector. With Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra leading the way, the inclusion of Kerala and Odisha highlights the government’s commitment to evenly distribute industrial growth and development across coastal states.
The project is part of the Ministry’s agenda during the first 100 days of the NDA government’s third term. According to Minister Sonowal, the move is in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen India’s blue economy and to make the country a dominant player in global shipping.
Additionally, the establishment of these clusters will significantly enhance India’s ship repair capacity, which has long been a bottleneck in the maritime industry. By reducing turnaround times for repairs, India could become a preferred destination for international vessels seeking maintenance services, further boosting foreign exchange earnings.
These initiatives also align with the Sagarmala project, which focuses on port-led development, coastal community welfare, and boosting inland waterways. By leveraging India’s vast coastline, the government seeks to promote not only industrial growth but also sustainable development, with a focus on cleaner and more efficient maritime transport systems.
In the long run, these shipbuilding clusters are expected to transform India’s maritime landscape by increasing ship production and repair capacity, enhancing competitiveness, and generating thousands of skilled and unskilled jobs across the maritime value chain. This comprehensive push is a significant step toward realizing India’s potential as a global maritime powerhouse.