The Government has approved a comprehensive package of Rs. 69,725 crore featuring a four-pillar approach to strengthen domestic capacity, maritime financing, shipyard development, skilling, and reforms. Shipbuilding is considered the mother industry in heavy engineering, where the majority of the value of a built ship is contributed by heavy engineering industries such as steel, mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment, composites, etc. Further, ancillary industries also develop through the growth of the shipbuilding industry. Given shipbuilding’s high employment multiplier, there is potential for the generation of approximately 22 lakh (2.2 million) direct and indirect jobs.
The Government has undertaken several measures to address both supply-side and demand-side issues in the shipbuilding sector. Stakeholder consultations have been conducted among various ministries, including cargo-generating ministries, to provide visibility for vessel orders for the shipbuilding industry.
Approval for greenfield shipbuilding clusters would depend upon various factors, including adequate land availability, locational feasibility such as rail and road connectivity, State industrial policy, and interest from potential investors.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Ji, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
