The Gujarat government on Monday unveiled a policy to strengthen its position as India’s shipbuilding and ship repair hub, with a proposed Rs. 23,700-crore private investment-led mega greenfield shipbuilding cluster in the Porbandar district forming the core of the initiative.
The investment is part of the newly launched Gujarat Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026. The Policy seeks to attract large-scale investments, create world-class maritime infrastructure, and expand the state’s shipbuilding capacity.
Launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the policy envisages the development of two Integrated Mega Shipbuilding Parks (IMSPs). It also envisages modern shipyards, marine equipment manufacturing clusters, research and development facilities, logistics infrastructure, and skill development institutions for building a globally competitive maritime manufacturing ecosystem.
According to information, the proposed mega greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Kuchdi in the Porbandar district has received approval from the center. The detailed project reports are being prepared by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). The projects are expected to house two to three world-class shipyards along with ancillary industries.
Gujarat plans to create common marine and onshore infrastructure worth nearly Rs. 3,300 crore to support the project. The facilities will include breakwaters, dredging, harbor basin development, navigation channels, floating cranes, heavy-lift vessels, roads, power and water infrastructure, and other shared utilities.
The government has set targets of expanding Gujarat’s shipbuilding capacity to more than 5 million deadweight tonnage (DWT), establishing two integrated mega shipbuilding parks, and training over five lakh people through skill development and capacity-building programs.
With a coastline of about 2,340 km, the longest in any state in the country, Gujarat has a dominant position in the country’s maritime economy. The state handles the bulk of India’s non-major port cargo and is home to several shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, including those at Pipavav, Dahej, Hazira, Bhavnagar, and Mandvi.
Gujarat also hosts the world’s largest ship recycling yard at Alang, near Bhavnagar.