Thoothukudi To Host India’s First Mega Greenfield Shipyard Under India–South Korea Partnership

In a landmark development for India’s maritime sector, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to establish the country’s first Mega Greenfield Shipyard at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s shipbuilding capabilities under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

The agreement brings together HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd., National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu Limited, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The MoU was signed during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to India and forms part of the broader India–Republic of Korea maritime cooperation framework titled “VOYAGES” (Shared Vision for Operation of Yard Assisted Growth with Efficiency and Scale).

The proposed shipyard will have an annual capacity of 2.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT) , making it one of the largest shipbuilding facilities in the country. It is expected to generate around 15,000 direct jobs , along with significant indirect employment opportunities across Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions, thereby boosting local industrial growth.

The facility will also serve as the anchor project for the Thoothukudi Shipbuilding Cluster being developed by NSHIP-TN. Officials said that the Techno-Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) has already been completed, while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is under preparation. The project has also received in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission.

Beyond capacity creation, the shipyard is expected to develop a comprehensive maritime ecosystem involving ancillary manufacturing, localisation of marine equipment, supply chain strengthening, and workforce skilling initiatives. It will also support the adoption of advanced digital and green shipbuilding technologies , aligning with India’s long-term sustainability goals. Training of Indian professionals at Korean shipyards is also part of the proposed collaboration framework.

The Government of India has already announced a ₹70,000 crore shipbuilding policy package aimed at boosting domestic shipbuilding capacity and attracting global investment. Recent international orders placed with Indian shipyards, including vessels from European clients, reflect growing global confidence in India’s maritime manufacturing capabilities.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the initiative as a “defining moment” in India’s journey towards becoming a global maritime power. He noted that the partnership would bring world-class technology, scale, and innovation to India’s shipbuilding sector.

With this development, Thoothukudi is set to emerge as a major global maritime and industrial hub , significantly transforming India’s shipbuilding landscape and strengthening its position in global maritime trade over the coming decades.