Cochin Shipyard (CSL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to collaborate on constructing large vessels in India.

The partnership aims to boost India’s shipbuilding capacity, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat’s maritime goals. CSL will utilise its 310-mtrs. dry dock in Kochi, capable of building up to six large vessels annually, including Suezmax tankers and Capesize bulk carriers. To support this, CSL plans an 80-acre block fabrication facility with an annual capacity of 1,20,000 MT, involving an investment of about Rs 3,700 crore. The initiative is expected to create around 2,000 direct work roles and generate additional indirect employment in related sectors.

Alongside this, CSL signed a separate MoU with Tamil Nadu’s investment agency to explore a Rs 15,000 crore greenfield shipyard, projected to create employment for 10,000 people, and may also include a modern ship repair facility. These moves align with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to establish the country as a global shipbuilding hub.