VISAKHAPATNAM: A significant step has been taken towards establishing Andhra Pradesh as a global hub for shipbuilding and marine manufacturing with the proposed development of a greenfield shipyard and integrated shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam.
In the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, an MoU was signed between NSHIP-AP, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) and Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The agreement represents a convergence of the maritime development vision of the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed project envisages an investment of ₹29,253 crore for developing an integrated shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam. The initiative has the potential to generate approximately 45,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, while creating a broad-based maritime industrial ecosystem encompassing shipbuilding, marine engineering, ancillary manufacturing, logistics and allied services.
The Dugarajapatnam initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s broader efforts to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity and enhance India’s position in the global maritime industry. It supports the objectives of the Shipbuilding Development Scheme, National Shipbuilding Mission and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which seek to develop a competitive and globally integrated Indian shipbuilding ecosystem.
The proposed cluster is expected to provide a platform for greater industrial participation across the maritime value chain, supporting the development of specialised manufacturing capabilities, maritime engineering expertise and logistics infrastructure.
With the cooperation of the Andhra Pradesh Government and under the leadership of Shri Jasmeet Singh Bindra, IRTS, Chairman, Visakhapatnam Port Authority, the Dugarajapatnam initiative marks an important milestone in the State’s maritime development journey.
The proposed greenfield shipyard and integrated cluster could strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s role in India’s emerging shipbuilding ecosystem while contributing to employment generation, industrial development and the country’s long-term maritime ambitions.
