NEW DELHI, May 5: The government on Tuesday approved the development of a state-of-the-art ship repair facility in Vadinar, Gujarat, with an investment of Rs 1,570 crore, according to an official statement.
The statement further said the project will be jointly implemented by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), with a combined investment of Rs 1,570 crore.
The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The project is planned as a brownfield facility with a 650-metre jetty, two large floating dry docks, workshops and associated marine infrastructure, the statement said.
Vadinar’s natural deep draft, connectivity to major shipping routes, and proximity to key ports, such as Mundra and Kandla, make it an optimal location for repair operations, particularly for large commercial and foreign-flagged vessels.
The statement said the project will also create opportunities for skill development and generate direct and indirect employment while enabling the growth of maritime ancillary services and MSMEs in the surrounding region.
The Vadinar Ship Repair Facility will directly address a critical gap in India’s ship repair infrastructure, as the country currently lacks adequate domestic capacity to repair large vessels exceeding 230 metres in length.
“By enabling repair of vessels up to 300 m, the facility will allow high-value repairs of large vessels within India. This will significantly reduce dependence on foreign shipyards and curb foreign exchange outflow,” the statement said.
Enhanced turnaround times and strengthened repair capability on the western coast will improve the overall competitiveness of Indian ports.
As per the statement, the project is expected to create sustainable employment, generating approximately 290 direct and around 1,100 indirect jobs across ship repair, logistics, and ancillary industries, while catalysing a broader maritime industrial ecosystem. (PTI)
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