The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has approved a greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar, Gujarat, marking a significant step in India’s ambition to emerge as a global shipbuilding hub.
The approval, granted under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme, comes alongside a Rs 1,570 crore ship repair facility at Vadinar as part of the government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The cluster will be developed through the National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park-Gujarat (NSHIP-Gujarat), a special purpose vehicle jointly promoted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways 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.The project is designed to build large commercial vessels with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million to 1.5 million gross tonnage, significantly expanding India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity whilst positioning Gujarat as a major hub for heavy-tonnage vessel construction.
The ship repair facility secured in-principle approval under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme for 25 per cent financial assistance on eligible capital infrastructure, having earlier received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in May 2026.
The brownfield expansion will feature a 650-metre jetty, two large floating dry docks and supporting marine infrastructure, enabling domestic repair of vessels up to 300 metres in length.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that the projects will enhance the competitiveness of India’s maritime sector whilst advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Shipbuilding Development Scheme aims to accelerate capacity creation, attract investments and promote indigenous manufacturing with increased private sector participation in India’s maritime industry.
