The government will shift its focus from policy formulation to on-ground execution of shipping and maritime schemes in 2026–27, Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, outlining an ambitious push to expand shipbuilding capacity, strengthen inland waterways and cut logistics costs.
Sonowal said the ministry’s priorities for the coming fiscal include time-bound implementation of three shipbuilding schemes, fast-tracking five National Mega Shipbuilding Clusters and enabling 0.7–1.0 million gross tonnage (GT) of new shipbuilding capacity over the next three to five years.
“We will consolidate gains across ports, shipping, shipbuilding and inland waterways. The focus is clearly on execution,” the minister said.
Key initiatives include anchoring a nearly 60-vessel ‘Make in India’ fleet plan, operationalising 20 additional national waterways and commissioning inland ship-repair hubs to improve reliability and generate employment. Sonowal said investments such as the ₹4,000-crore Hyundai–Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) facility and the rollout of One Nation One Port (ONOP) digitisation could reduce port dwell time by up to 25%.
“These steps reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s execution-led approach to building maritime competitiveness and resilience,” he said.
On the long-awaited container manufacturing scheme announced in the Union Budget, Sonowal said the proposed Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme aims to create domestic capacity of around 0.75 million TEUs annually—nearly 10% of global demand—through greenfield projects. The move is expected to reduce import dependence, conserve foreign exchange and create more than 50,000 jobs.
Providing an update on shipbuilding measures announced in earlier budgets, the minister said three major schemes—the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme, the Maritime Development Fund and the Shipbuilding Development Scheme—are now ready for rollout. “Implementation guidelines have been issued, digital portals are operational and industry participation is picking up,” he said.
The National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park in Tamil Nadu will be the first such park to be developed, structured as a 50:50 special purpose vehicle between the Centre and the state government. Several domestic shipyards are also finalising brownfield expansion plans to avail support under the schemes.
Sonowal said government incentives have helped Indian shipyards win large international orders by enabling them to bid more competitively against global players.
Recognising the importance of the broader ecosystem, the minister said the Shipbuilding Development Scheme includes specific provisions to support ancillary industries within proposed greenfield shipbuilding clusters. These include concessional land lease rates, capital subsidies from state governments, shared infrastructure and single-window clearances.
“Shipbuilding cannot be achieved through shipyards alone. A strong ancillary base is essential for sustainable growth,” Sonowal said.
