New Delhi: State-owned Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has secured orders to build more than 40 ships for customers from the United States, Germany, Norway and other countries, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
The orders highlight growing international confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities, quality standards and production capacity. The government is also working to strengthen the country’s shipbuilding ecosystem to attract more overseas business and expand domestic capabilities.
Addressing a press conference, Sonowal said CSL was receiving a significant share of the foreign shipbuilding orders secured by Indian shipyards.
“Most of the orders we are receiving for shipbuilding are for Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) from foreign countries like Germany, America, and Norway. So far, we have received orders for more than 40 ships,” the minister said.
CSL Receives Shipbuilding Orders From Major International Markets
Cochin Shipyard has emerged as a key recipient of international shipbuilding orders, with customers from several countries placing orders for more than 40 ships.
The countries specifically mentioned by the minister include:
- United States: Customers have placed shipbuilding orders with CSL.
- Germany: German customers are among the international buyers of ships from the Indian shipyard.
- Norway: Norwegian orders also contribute to CSL’s overseas shipbuilding business.
- Other countries: The shipyard has received orders from additional international markets.
Sonowal said these orders demonstrate the growing recognition of Indian shipbuilders in the global market. He attributed the trend to confidence in India’s production quality, capacity-building efforts and shipbuilding capabilities.
The development also underscores the potential for Indian shipyards to expand their presence in international markets as the country strengthens its maritime manufacturing sector.
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Russian Entities Show Interest in Shipbuilding Partnerships
Apart from the orders already secured, some Russian entities have expressed interest in building ships in India through partnerships with Indian shipyards, including Cochin Shipyard Limited, a senior Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways official said.
Such interest could create opportunities for collaboration between foreign entities and Indian shipbuilders. However, the official’s statement concerned expressions of interest, and no specific contracts or confirmed order numbers involving Russian entities were announced.
Belgium has also expressed willingness to work with India to promote shipbuilding, according to Sonowal.
These developments indicate interest from multiple international markets in exploring cooperation with India’s shipbuilding industry.
Government Working to Strengthen India’s Shipbuilding Ecosystem
Sonowal said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways was working to strengthen the ecosystem supporting shipbuilding in India.
The government’s efforts are aimed at developing domestic capabilities and improving the sector’s ability to attract international business. Overseas orders are an important indicator of market confidence in Indian shipyards and their capacity to meet customers’ requirements.
Commenting on the international demand, Sonowal said the orders reflected confidence in India’s quality of production and capacity-building efforts.
The growing interest from foreign customers and potential partners could support the expansion of India’s shipbuilding industry and create opportunities for greater participation in the global maritime market.
Sonowal Discusses Coastal Shipping During Myanmar Meeting
Separately, Sonowal said he met a minister from Myanmar on the second day of the third edition of Sagarmanthan – The Ocean Dialogue.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed coastal shipping operations in Myanmar. According to Sonowal, the Myanmar minister said coastal shipping was operating successfully in the country.
The discussion also touched on Sittwe Port in Myanmar, which Sonowal described as operating successfully.
The meeting highlighted coastal shipping and port operations as additional areas of maritime engagement between India and Myanmar.
International Interest Supports India’s Maritime Ambitions
The orders received by Cochin Shipyard, along with expressions of interest from Russian entities and Belgium, highlight opportunities for international cooperation in India’s shipbuilding sector.
As the government works to strengthen the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem, overseas contracts and potential partnerships could help Indian shipyards expand their international reach and demonstrate their manufacturing capabilities.
CSL’s order pipeline of more than 40 ships from foreign customers represents a notable development for India’s maritime manufacturing industry, while discussions on coastal shipping and port operations underline the wider scope of international maritime cooperation.
About Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is a Government of India-owned shipbuilding and ship repair company under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, the company builds and repairs a wide range of vessels, including commercial ships and specialised vessels. CSL also undertakes shipbuilding projects for domestic and international customers and plays an important role in India’s maritime and shipbuilding sector.
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