A Visionary Journey Towards Global Leadership

Highlighting the significance of giving infrastructure status to large ships, PM Modi said, Due to infrastructure status, the construction of big ships in India will be encouraged, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan will get momentum and we all know that ship building is the sector that provides the most employment.

- Sh. Sarbananda Sonowal

A Maritime Legacy Rekindled

For centuries, India has been a land of maritime excellence, with a rich legacy of shipbuilding and naval innovation. From the ancient dockyards of Lothal—one of the world’s earliest known ports—to the mighty fleets of the Chola Empire that dominated Southeast Asian waters, Indian shipbuilders crafted vessels that sailed across global trade routes, linking civilizations and fostering economic prosperity. However, with the advent of colonial rule and changing geopolitical dynamics, India’s shipbuilding industry gradually declined, giving way to international competitors.

This trajectory began to shift in 2014, under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recognizing shipbuilding as a key pillar of India’s Blue Economy, the government has undertaken bold reforms to revitalize the sector, positioning India as a global powerhouse in ship construction and repair. The government rolled out the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy in 2016 to address the cost disadvantages faced by Indian Shipbuilders vis-à-vis other leading nations such as South Korea, China, etc. Today, India is among the top emerging shipbuilding nations, with world-class shipyards like Cochin Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard, and Goa Shipyard leading the way in constructing cutting-edge vessels, including indigenous warships, commercial vessels, and green shipping solutions.

Shipbuilding: A Key Contributor to India's Economic Future