The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, 5 May, approved the development of a new ship repair facility at Vadinar with a combined investment of ₹1,570 crore.
The project will be jointly implemented by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), according to an official government release.
The proposed facility is expected to expand India’s domestic ship repair capability, particularly for large commercial vessels that often require overseas repair support due to limited domestic capacity.
The project will be developed as a brownfield facility and will include a 650-metre jetty, two large floating dry docks, workshops, and associated marine infrastructure.
Vadinar has been selected due to its natural deep draft, connectivity to major shipping routes, and proximity to ports such as Mundra and Kandla. The government said these factors make the location suitable for repair operations involving large commercial and foreign-flagged vessels.
According to the release, India currently lacks adequate domestic infrastructure to repair large vessels exceeding 230 metres in length.
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The facility will be capable of repairing vessels up to 300 metres in length, enabling high-value repair work to be undertaken within India instead of relying on overseas shipyards.
The government said the project is expected to reduce dependence on foreign repair facilities and help curb foreign exchange outflow linked to ship maintenance activities abroad.
The government said improved turnaround time for repairs and stronger ship repair capability on the western coast are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Indian ports.
Apart from maritime infrastructure development, the project is expected to generate employment and support the growth of ancillary industries in the surrounding region.
The official release estimates around 290 direct jobs and nearly 1,100 indirect jobs across ship repair, logistics, marine services, and associated sectors.
The government also stated that the project would support maritime ancillary services and MSMEs linked to the ship repair ecosystem.
The Vadinar Ship Repair Facility forms part of the government’s broader maritime infrastructure expansion plans under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
