Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is making significant strides towards achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the maritime manufacturing sector. The National Shipbuilding Mission (NSM), along with the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS), continues to drive transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s shipbuilding capabilities, competitiveness, and technological innovation.
A high-level policy discussion was recently chaired by Shri Venkateshpathy S., IAS, Joint Secretary (MD, SU, SBR & CSL), bringing together key stakeholders from the government, shipyards, and industry bodies. The meeting focused on evaluating ongoing initiatives, reviewing policy guidelines, and exploring new measures to boost the sector’s capacity and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the discussion, Shri Venkateshpathy emphasized the critical role of innovation, technological adoption, and financial support mechanisms in strengthening India’s shipbuilding ecosystem. He highlighted how NSM and SBFAS are designed to provide a structured framework of incentives and guidance, enabling domestic shipyards to scale operations, improve quality standards, and adopt cutting-edge technologies.
The National Shipbuilding Mission aims to position India as a global hub for ship manufacturing, contributing not only to national security and strategic interests but also to the nation’s economic growth. Through targeted financial assistance under SBFAS, the government supports shipbuilders in modernizing infrastructure, acquiring advanced machinery, and fostering research and development in maritime technologies.
Industry experts present at the meeting acknowledged the government’s proactive measures and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between public and private players to achieve long-term sustainability and global competitiveness.
With sustained policy support, strategic financial interventions, and a clear vision for innovation, India is steadily advancing towards becoming self-reliant in shipbuilding, strengthening its maritime capabilities, and contributing to the nation’s broader economic and strategic objectives.
