SYLLABUS

GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, etc. 

Context: India has signed a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development of the country’s first Mega Greenfield Shipyard at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under India- Republic of Korea Comprehensive Framework ‘VOYAGES’. 

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• The agreement has been signed between HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park – Tamil Nadu (NSHIP-TN), and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• The project is being developed under the India–Republic of Korea maritime cooperation framework “VOYAGES” (Vision for Operation of Yard Assisted Growth with Efficiency and Scale), reflecting deepening India–South Korea strategic cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics.

• The project forms part of India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047), which aims to position India among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations, with a targeted shipbuilding output of 4.5 Million Gross Tonnage (GT) per annum by 2047.

Key Features of the Project

• The proposed Mega Greenfield Shipyard at Thoothukudi is envisaged with an annual shipbuilding capacity of 2.5 Million Gross Tonnage (GT), making it one of the largest commercial shipbuilding facilities in India and a major contributor towards the MAKV 2047 target of 4.5 Million GT annual shipbuilding output. 

• The project is expected to generate nearly 15,000 direct jobs along with substantial indirect employment opportunities through the development of ancillary industries, marine engineering supply chains, logistics services, and maritime manufacturing ecosystems.

• The proposed mega shipyard will be developed at Thoothukudi as the anchor facility of the Thoothukudi Shipbuilding Cluster being developed by NSHIP-TN. 

Significance of the Project

• Strengthening India’s Maritime Manufacturing Ecosystem: Development of a large-scale integrated shipbuilding cluster can strengthen domestic manufacturing, localisation of marine equipment, and integration of India into global maritime value chains. 

• Enhancing Strategic and Economic Resilience: Expansion of domestic shipbuilding capacity can reduce dependence on foreign shipyards, strengthen maritime logistics resilience, and enhance India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region. 

• Boost to Employment and Coastal Industrialisation: The project is expected to accelerate industrialisation in southern India by promoting ancillary industries, logistics infrastructure, maritime services, and coastal economic development under the Sagarmala Programme.

• Deepening India–South Korea Strategic Partnership: The project reflects growing India–Republic of Korea cooperation in advanced manufacturing, maritime technology, logistics, and industrial infrastructure development. 

Overview of India’s Shipbuilding Sector

• India accounts for less than 1% of the global shipbuilding market, far behind China (47%), South Korea (25%), and Japan (18%), which dominate the sector through advanced technology and integrated industrial ecosystems. 

• Despite its limited global share, India possesses significant maritime advantages: 

• o A coastline of over 7,500 km. 
• o 13 major ports and more than 200 minor ports. 
• o More than 30 shipyards across the country. 
• o A strong maritime workforce, with India contributing nearly 10% of the world’s seafarers. 

• India’s shipbuilding industry is witnessing rapid growth, with industry valuation increasing from nearly USD 90 million in 2022 to around USD 1.12 billion in 2024, while the global shipbuilding market was valued at around USD 150 billion in 2024.

• India also pays nearly USD 75–90 billion annually in freight charges to foreign shipping companies, highlighting the strategic importance of strengthening domestic shipbuilding and maritime logistics capabilities.