Thoothukudi Mega Shipyard Project Gains Momentum as Sarbananda Sonowal Meets HD Hyundai Chairman in Seoul
- Joint Working Group to oversee project development; joint venture structure to be finalised, with Detailed Project Report expected within six months.
- Technology transfer and workforce training to be key priorities, with Indian industries and academic institutions expected to participate.
- Thoothukudi shipyard envisaged as a flagship initiative under the India–Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership.
- Sonowal highlights strategic partnerships, technology collaboration and localised manufacturing as key to India’s shipbuilding ambitions.
Seoul: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal met Chung Ki-sun, Chairman of HD Hyundai, in Seoul to discuss the next steps in developing India’s proposed greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
The meeting took place during Sonowal’s four-day visit to South Korea, aimed at strengthening India–Republic of Korea cooperation in shipbuilding and the broader maritime sector.
The discussions marked further progress on the proposed project. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the shipbuilding arm of HD Hyundai, reiterated its intention to participate as a primary strategic investor. Both sides expressed their commitment to advancing the project.
A Joint Working Group (JWG) will oversee project development, while discussions will continue to establish a suitable joint venture structure. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be finalised within six months.
Sonowal told Chung Ki-sun that his primary objective during the Seoul visit was to translate into reality, as quickly as possible, the shared vision presented by the HD Hyundai Chairman to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: that India would be a key pillar of HD Hyundai’s global growth. He also noted the renewed momentum in India–South Korea maritime relations following South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to New Delhi earlier this year.
Speaking at the meeting, Sonowal said, “We have a clear mandate to scale up our work together. The MoU we signed on April 20, 2026, is the foundation of what we want to build together in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. A greenfield shipyard involving an investment of $4 billion is a major milestone, and we are fully committed to supporting it. Your team has done an excellent job during the site assessment and has continued to collaborate with teams from both the Central and State governments.”
National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu Limited (NSHIP-TN) and HD KSOE expressed their shared intention to advance the proposed greenfield shipyard project at Thoothukudi.
The discussions build on the India–Republic of Korea Comprehensive Framework for Partnership in Shipbuilding, Shipping and Maritime Logistics, adopted in April 2026, and the Memorandum of Understanding signed between HD KSOE and NSHIP-TN on April 20, 2026, on the sidelines of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to India. During the meeting, HD KSOE acknowledged the enabling environment created by the Government of India to facilitate the project’s implementation.
The proposed shipyard, being developed under the Government of India’s Shipbuilding Development Scheme, is envisaged to have an annual shipbuilding capacity of approximately 2.5 million gross tonnage (GT), subject to validation through the DPR. Once operational, it is expected to become India’s largest commercial shipyard, significantly expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
HD KSOE reiterated its intention to participate as a primary strategic investor, bringing its international expertise in shipyard design, construction, advanced manufacturing and operations. Discussions will focus on finalising the investment structure, equity participation and implementation arrangements, subject to due diligence and the necessary approvals.
NSHIP-TN reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the establishment of the shipyard, including coordination with the Central and Tamil Nadu governments and relevant authorities.
Highlighting the growing demand for vessels in India, Sonowal said, “The domestic market in India is booming right now. Our public agencies are looking to acquire more than 400 vessels in the coming years. I am sure that, in addition to export orders, the proposed mega greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, will play a significant role in constructing many of these identified vessels. We look forward to HD KSOE deepening its presence in India through strategic partnerships, technology collaboration and localised manufacturing, thereby contributing to India’s emergence as a global shipbuilding hub.”
To accelerate implementation, a Joint Working Group comprising representatives from both sides will coordinate project development and oversee key activities. The two organisations will work towards agreeing on an appropriate joint venture structure and aim to finalise the DPR within six months. The report will cover the proposed vessel mix, production capacity, infrastructure requirements, project costs and implementation schedule.
NSHIP-TN will facilitate the availability of suitable waterfront land, the development of supporting infrastructure and utilities, and coordination with relevant authorities to obtain statutory approvals in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
Preparatory activities, including site assessments, infrastructure planning and preliminary studies on dredging and land reclamation, will also be undertaken to support project readiness.
Beyond infrastructure development, the collaboration aims to establish a globally competitive shipbuilding ecosystem in India, with a strong emphasis on technology transfer and workforce skill development. Opportunities for technical training, knowledge exchange and collaboration with Indian industries and academic institutions will be explored to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capabilities and generate skilled employment.
In his concluding remarks, Sonowal said, “This partnership will be a vital and defining cornerstone of the broader India–Korea relationship. By bringing together South Korea’s world-class technological expertise with India’s economic dynamism and market scale, we are creating a partnership that can reshape the global maritime landscape. Let us join hands to bring this ambitious shipyard project to fruition. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can accelerate this journey together.”
The proposed Thoothukudi shipyard is envisaged as a flagship initiative under the India–Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership, combining South Korea’s advanced shipbuilding expertise with India’s industrial capabilities and long-term maritime ambitions.
