The Centre is expected to grant in-principle approval this month for a ₹30,000-crore mega shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, marking a major step in India’s efforts to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity and expand the India-flagged fleet.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the proposed cluster is being developed as India’s first mega shipbuilding hub with an estimated capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnage.
The minister highlighted that India has already aggregated demand for 437 vessels worth nearly ₹2.2 lakh crore from major government-backed stakeholders over the next two decades. Under the government’s shipbuilding strategy, domestic yards will receive preference in procurement bids to accelerate indigenous manufacturing and maritime self-reliance.
Speaking on the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Sonowal clarified that no India-flagged or India-linked vessels have been asked to pay toll charges while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. He described the regional crisis as one of the most significant disruptions to global shipping in recent times.
To maintain trade connectivity, India has significantly expanded shipping services to alternate West Asian ports, with sailings increasing from 105 in February to 232 in April. The government has also repatriated more than 3,000 seafarers since the crisis escalated.
Sonowal said the ministry has conducted multiple high-level review meetings to ensure uninterrupted maritime operations and faster resolution of stakeholder concerns.
The minister further stated that long-pending inland waterways and port expansion projects in West Bengal are expected to gain momentum in the coming period.
