India Sets Course for Maritime Excellence with New Shipbuilding Clusters

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is launching shipbuilding and repair clusters in states including Gujarat and Maharashtra. This initiative is projected to handle 40 million TEUs and create 2 million jobs in five years. A significant investment of Rs 5 lakh crore is expected in hydrogen hubs, boosting India's maritime sector.

Ship-building and ship repair clusters are set to be established in five states, including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, as announced by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, on Wednesday.

Recognizing the strategic importance of shipbuilding and repair, the ministry is developing dedicated clusters in Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat. During the first 100 days of the NDA government's third term, Sonowal highlighted these accomplishments and projected container handling to reach 40 million TEUs in five years, creating 2 million job opportunities across India.

Furthermore, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is set to scale up its handling capacity from 6.6 million to 10 million TEUs. Additionally, 3,900 acres have been allocated in Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust (VoCPA) for hydrogen manufacturing hubs, expecting investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore. JNPA aims to become the first Indian port to handle 10 million TEUs in the coming months, with plans to establish the International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island, as a major transshipment hub.

The Vadhvan Port marks a significant milestone in India's maritime journey, positioned to become one of the largest all-weather deep-water ports with a 298 MMTPA capacity. This project is anticipated to create 1.2 million jobs and place an Indian port among the top 10 container ports globally, thus enhancing international shipping connectivity and reducing transit times and costs.