KAKINADA : Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a leading shipbuilding and ship repair organisation under the Ministry of Defence, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kakinada Seaports Limited (KSPL) to explore and develop shipbuilding operations at the KSPL facility in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The agreement marks an important step towards expanding India’s shipbuilding infrastructure through strategic collaboration between a major shipyard and a port operator.
The MoU was signed during INMARCO by Rear Admiral Chandreshekharan Raghuram, VSM, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Shipyard Limited, and Shri K. V. Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of Kakinada Seaports Limited.
Under the agreement, both organisations will work together to utilise and augment existing infrastructure at the KSPL facility, including slipways and jetty facilities, to support shipbuilding activities by HSL. The partnership will also explore collaborative business models, combining the technical expertise and operational capabilities of both organisations to identify and undertake major shipbuilding projects.
The proposed collaboration is expected to create opportunities for optimising existing maritime infrastructure, expanding shipbuilding capacity and promoting allied maritime activities. By bringing together HSL’s established shipbuilding expertise and KSPL’s port infrastructure, the initiative aims to develop a supportive ecosystem for future shipbuilding projects.
The partnership also reflects the growing importance of cooperation between shipyards and ports in advancing India’s maritime ambitions. Effective utilisation of existing port assets, development of additional infrastructure and collaboration among industry stakeholders will be essential to strengthening the country’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.
The initiative is aligned with India’s broader vision of enhancing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, reducing dependence on overseas facilities and positioning the country as a competitive global maritime and shipbuilding hub. It also complements the national priorities of maritime infrastructure development, capacity expansion and the creation of new opportunities across the maritime value chain.
Commenting on the significance of the partnership, HSL emphasised that India’s shipbuilding ambitions require coordinated efforts among shipyards, ports, regulators, designers, suppliers, financial institutions and local stakeholders.
The MoU represents a shared commitment by HSL and KSPL to transform existing maritime infrastructure into productive shipbuilding capacity and contribute to India’s long-term maritime development objectives.
Through this collaboration, both organisations look forward to identifying new opportunities, strengthening industrial partnerships and supporting the growth of India’s shipbuilding sector.
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