India has launched its first mega shipbuilding cluster in Tamil Nadu with the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV), National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu (NSHIP, TN).

This joint venture between the VO Chidambaram Port Authority and the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) aims to develop a greenfield shipbuilding hub in Thoothukudi. The development follows the Shipbuilding Development Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet, which has earmarked Rs 19,989 crore for the project. The cluster will feature a two km waterfront and a 2,000-acre landside area, with 1,000 acres dedicated to shipyards and another 1,000 acres for ancillary industries and facilities.

The project aims to strengthen India’s commercial shipbuilding capabilities, promote industrial growth, and generate large-scale employment. It is expected to contribute significantly to creating a self-reliant maritime ecosystem.