The West Bengal government has invited proposals from shipbuilders across the world to establish a new shipbuilding facility at Dadanpatrabar, a move aimed at reviving the state’s historic maritime legacy and positioning Bengal as one of India’s leading shipbuilding hubs.
The proposed project is expected to complement the state’s existing and planned shipbuilding ecosystem along the Hooghly River, which includes major shipyards such as Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Ltd., Titagarh Naval Systems Limited, Ripley Group, and Mandovi Drydocks.
Industry experts believe the addition of a new large-scale shipyard could significantly strengthen eastern India’s shipbuilding capacity while supporting the country’s broader maritime ambitions under the “Make in India” initiative.
Shipbuilding is widely regarded as one of the manufacturing sectors with the highest economic multiplier effects. Every direct job created in a shipyard generates multiple employment opportunities across steel fabrication, heavy engineering, marine equipment manufacturing, logistics, electronics, and other ancillary industries. The long-term success of countries such as Japan, South Korea and China demonstrates how sustained investment in shipbuilding can accelerate industrialisation and regional economic development.
West Bengal offers several strategic advantages for such investments. The proposed Dadanpatrabar site enjoys direct access to the Bay of Bengal and major Southeast Asian shipping routes. It is also well connected through National Highway 116B and can be integrated with the Tamluk–Digha railway corridor, enabling efficient multimodal cargo movement.
The state also benefits from a large pool of skilled industrial workers available at competitive labour costs. Its proximity to steel production facilities of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) ensures reliable access to one of the industry’s most important raw materials. In addition, the presence of established shipyards, maritime training institutions and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata provides a mature maritime ecosystem capable of supporting large-scale shipbuilding operations.
West Bengal’s initiative also seeks to revive the region’s rich maritime heritage. Historically, Calcutta was among the world’s leading shipbuilding centres, with Bengal’s craftsmen earning international recognition from ancient times through the 16th and 17th centuries for constructing durable teak vessels renowned for their superior quality and longevity.
By inviting global shipbuilders to invest in the state, the West Bengal government aims to leverage this legacy while creating a modern shipbuilding ecosystem capable of generating employment, attracting investments, boosting exports, and strengthening India’s position in the global maritime industry.
