Key Facts and Details

Project Overview

  • Location: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
  • Type: India's first Mega Greenfield Shipyard
  • Annual Capacity: 2.5 Million Gross Tonnage (GT)
  • Target: Part of India's goal to become top 5 shipbuilding nation globally by 2047
  • Total Targeted Output: 4.5 Million GT per annum by 2047

Tripartite Agreement

The MoU was exchanged between:

  1. HD KSOE (South Korea) - Technical partner
  2. NSHIP-TN - Joint venture of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and SIPCOT
  3. Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited - Under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)

Strategic Framework: VOYAGES

  • The agreement is part of the India-ROK Comprehensive Framework called 'VOYAGES' (Shared Vision for Operation of Yard Assisted Growth with Efficiency and Scale)
  • Aims at cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics
  • Part of India-Republic of Korea Strategic Vision 2026–2030

Economic Impact

  • Direct Jobs: 15,000 employment opportunities
  • Ancillary Benefits: Development of maritime ecosystem including:
  • Ancillary manufacturing
  • Green shipping technologies
  • Digital shipbuilding

Thoothukudi Shipbuilding Cluster

  • The shipyard will serve as anchor for the Thoothukudi Shipbuilding Cluster
  • Already received in-principle approval from the National Shipbuilding Mission

Bilateral Cooperation

  • Partnership involves workforce skilling
  • Training of Indian professionals at HD KSOE's facilities in South Korea

Significance for India

Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

This project is a major step towards achieving the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to transform India's maritime sector.

Blue Economy Potential

  • Strengthens India's maritime infrastructure
  • Enhances capabilities in shipbuilding sector
  • Promotes green and digital shipping technologies

Strategic Importance

  • Reduces dependence on foreign shipbuilding
  • Boosts indigenous maritime manufacturing
  • Strengthens India-South Korea bilateral relations