India's Maritime Push: Cochin Shipyard, South Korea's HD KSOE Sign Strategic Pact To Build Large Ships In India

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has taken an important step towards strengthening India’s shipbuilding capacity by entering two major partnerships, one with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and another with Guidance, the investment promotion agency of Tamil Nadu.

The MoUs were signed during “Samudra se Samriddhi – Transforming India’s Maritime Sector”, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

The collaboration with HD KSOE seeks to combine CSL’s legacy and infrastructure with Korea’s technological expertise.

Under the agreement, CSL’s 310 metre dry dock, inaugurated in January 2024, will be used to build large vessels such as Suezmax tankers, Capesize bulk carriers and container ships, with a capacity of up to six vessels annually.

To support this expansion, CSL will set up a Block Fabrication Facility (BFF) in Kochi on an 80 acre site, with an annual capacity of 1,20,000 MT and an investment of nearly Rs 3,700 crore.

This initiative is expected to generate about 2,000 direct jobs and many more in allied sectors including logistics, MSMEs and supply chains.

The collaboration will also focus on joint execution of projects at CSL’s existing yards during the transition phase, while exploring opportunities in greenfield shipyards, new business areas, and skill development.

The initiative aligns closely with Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047.

CSL has also partnered with Guidance Tamil Nadu for a proposed greenfield investment of Rs 15,000 crore to set up a modern shipyard in the state.

The first phase of this project is expected to generate around 10,000 jobs—4,000 direct and 6,000 indirect and could include a cutting-edge ship repair facility.

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