Gujarat Unveils ₹71273-Crore Maritime Push: Mega Shipbuilding Hubs and Six Greenfield Ports on the Anvil
GANDHINAGAR: In a major push to cement India’s footprint in the global maritime industry, the Gujarat government has officially initiated the implementation of the Shipbuilding and Repair Policy of Gujarat 2026. The ambitious blueprint envisions an investment of ₹58,953 crore to set up greenfield shipbuilding and repair clusters, alongside the development of six state-of-the-art greenfield ports at an estimated cost of ₹12,320 crore.
Together, the twin initiatives will inject over ₹71,200 crore into Gujarat’s coastal economy, creating integrated industrial ecosystems and adding an estimated 124 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to the state’s cargo handling capacity.
Mega Shipyards Planned Across Coastal Belts
Under the aegis of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), large-scale shipbuilding and repair facilities will be developed across four strategic coastal locations following the completion of scientific pre-feasibility studies.
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Bhavnagar–Ghogha–Vadhera–Mithapur Cluster: Set within an established maritime ecosystem, this yard will span 535 hectares with a 2.4-km waterfront, delivering an annual capacity between 0.6 million and 0.8 million gross tonnes (GT).
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Southern Saurashtra Coast: Designed with an annual capacity of 0.6 million to 0.8 million GT, this facility will initially occupy 250 hectares, expandable to 300 hectares, with a 5-km waterfront. It will leverage multi-modal transit links, including National Highway 51, the broad-gauge rail network, and Amreli Airport.
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Western Maritime Corridor: Spread across 260 hectares with a 2.3-km waterfront, this modern shipyard will also feature an annual capacity of 0.6 million to 0.8 million GT.
Beyond Shipyards: Complete Industrial Ecosystems
The projects are designed not merely as standalone dockyards but as integrated industrial nodes.
According to Dr. Ajay Kumar, IAS, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Gujarat Maritime Board, the clusters will integrate offshore fabrication units, dry docks, marine equipment manufacturing plants, research and development (R&D) hubs, testing centres, and dedicated maritime skill development facilities.
Technical ground assessments—including mathematical modelling, bathymetric surveys, and geotechnical evaluations—have already been carried out by IIT Kharagpur to ensure engineering viability.
Six Greenfield Ports Under BOOT Model
Complementing the shipbuilding parks, the state government has sanctioned six new greenfield ports under the public-private partnership (PPP) framework. Awarded via the Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) route, these ports will operate under concession periods ranging from 30 to 50 years.
The proposed ports are structured around strategic industrial, energy, and export-import (EXIM) functions:
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Western Industrial Gateway: Located near the Mundra Maritime Corridor, this facility will handle over 15 MMTPA of coal, minerals, and petrochemicals.
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Chemical & Cement Gateway: A dedicated 15 MMTPA terminal designed to serve industrial commodities.
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Primary Energy Hub: Linked to the Bhogat single-point mooring (SPM) facility and regional pipelines, this port will specialize in liquid cargo and petroleum products with an annual throughput of 15 MMTPA.
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Bulk & Textile EXIM Ports: Dedicated gateways exceeding 15 MMTPA each will handle mineral flows, export goods, and bulk commodities across central and southern Gujarat.
Strict Global Bidding Criteria
To attract premier international maritime players, the Gujarat Maritime Board has instituted stringent pre-qualification benchmarks for its Global Expression of Interest (EOI). Prospective developers must hold a minimum net worth of ₹500 crore and report an average annual turnover of at least ₹1,000 crore over the preceding three fiscal years.
With pre-feasibility and technical validation completed, the rollout marks a decisive step toward establishing Gujarat as a primary maritime construction and logistics gateway along the Arabian Sea.
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