For many years, countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have led the global shipbuilding industry. These three nations together build about 90 percent of the world’s ships. China alone makes almost half of all new ships ordered across the world. This has given them not only big profits but also a lot of control over global trade and shipping routes.
India, on the other hand, has had a very small role in this business. Its share in the global shipbuilding market is less than one percent. But this may soon change. The Indian government has now made a plan to boost shipbuilding in the country. It wants to make India a major shipbuilding hub in the world. The plan is big and includes many steps that cover everything from ship construction to repair, recycling, insurance, and even legal services.
People close to this plan say that the government is working on nearly a dozen new policies to help the local shipbuilding industry. These include a maritime development fund, a new ship finance scheme, support for ship repair and recycling, and steps to make Indian ports stronger and more modern.
The idea is not just to build ships. The goal is to create a full system that supports the shipbuilding industry from start to finish. This means offering help in areas like crew hiring, insurance, shipping finance, technical training, and solving legal disputes. The government wants to make India a place where everything related to shipbuilding can be done smoothly.
One big reason behind this plan is to create more jobs and bring new investment into the country. When India builds more ships, it will need engineers, welders, planners, and other workers. It will also help small and big companies that supply parts and services for ships. This will boost the local economy and give India more control over its shipping needs.
India is also looking to partner with other countries to speed up this process. The government is talking to shipbuilding companies from Japan and South Korea. Some of them are already in discussions with Indian firms to start joint ventures. For example, Cochin Shipyard in Kerala is exploring a partnership with a Korean company for building ships in India. These joint ventures will help India get access to the latest technology, global markets, and expert knowledge in the field.
In addition to this, the government will launch special missions to help Indian companies finance shipbuilding. Some international ship financers may be asked to open offices in India so they can offer services just like they do in their home countries. This will make it easier for Indian firms to get money to build ships and expand their businesses.
India also wants to make sure that ships built in India can find buyers both within the country and in global markets. For this, India is creating policies to help promote ship exports and improve the quality of locally made vessels.
Private companies are also becoming active. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, an Indian company, is working with a German company named Carsten Rehder to make hybrid ships. These ships will be lighter and more energy efficient. A UAE-based company, Aries Marine, is also interested in building ships in India. Larsen and Toubro, one of India’s top engineering firms, is teaming up with a Norwegian company, DNV, to work on shipbuilding and port infrastructure projects.
All these steps show that India is serious about becoming a key player in the global shipbuilding industry. The final goal is to break into the world’s top 10 shipbuilders by the year 2030. This is not going to be easy, but with strong government support, global partnerships, and a focus on jobs and economic growth, India has a real chance to make it happen.
The shipping ministry has not yet shared all the details officially, but experts believe that this plan can transform India’s place in the global shipping world. With the right push and policy support, India’s shipyards may soon become busier than ever, building not just ships, but a stronger future for the country.
Update: India has now launched eight mega clusters to implement this vision on the ground. Explore where these shipbuilding hubs are being built and what they aim to achieve.
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