Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched the Gujarat Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026, aimed at transforming the state into India’s leading centre for shipbuilding and ship repair through advanced technology, world-class infrastructure and investor-friendly measures.
The new policy focuses on utilising Gujarat’s 2,340-km-long coastline, strong port network, industrial ecosystem and maritime heritage to accelerate growth in the shipbuilding sector and attract large-scale investments.
Gujarat Aims to Become Global Shipbuilding and Maritime Hub
The Gujarat government said the policy has been designed to strengthen the state’s maritime capabilities and create a complete ecosystem for shipbuilding, ship repair and marine manufacturing.
The policy will focus on:
- Development of modern shipyards.
- Promotion of marine equipment manufacturing.
- Creation of green and smart shipyards.
- Support for startups and innovation in the maritime sector.
- Expansion of research and development activities.
- Growth of skilled manpower in the industry.
The government aims to position Gujarat as a globally competitive destination for maritime manufacturing.
Integrated Mega Shipbuilding Parks to Drive Industry Growth
A major highlight of the policy is the development of Integrated Mega Shipbuilding Parks (IMSPs) across the state.
These parks will include:
- Modern shipbuilding yards.
- Marine equipment clusters.
- Testing and certification facilities.
- Logistics infrastructure.
- Research and development centres.
- Skill development institutes.
The integrated approach is expected to reduce project costs, improve efficiency and provide investors with a complete industrial ecosystem.
₹23,700 Crore Mega Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster Planned in Porbandar
The Chief Minister also highlighted the proposed Mega Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster at Kuchdi in Porbandar district, which has received approval from the Government of India.
The Gujarat Maritime Board is preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the project.
Key details of the proposed cluster:
- Location: Kuchdi, Porbandar district.
- Expected shipyards: Two to three world-class shipyards.
- Estimated private investment: Around ₹23,700 crore.
- Focus: Shipbuilding, marine industries and supporting sectors.
The project is expected to become a major milestone in Gujarat’s maritime development journey.
₹3,300 Crore Common Infrastructure Planned for Shipbuilding Ecosystem
To support the shipbuilding sector, the Gujarat government plans to develop shared marine and land-based infrastructure worth approximately ₹3,300 crore.
The infrastructure will include:
- Breakwaters.
- Floating cranes.
- Heavy-lift ships.
- Dredging facilities.
- Harbour basin development.
- Navigation channels.
- Roads and connectivity infrastructure.
- Power supply systems.
- Water infrastructure.
- Other common utilities.
Financial support for these facilities will be provided under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme of the Central and Gujarat governments.
Policy Offers Financial Incentives for Investors
The Gujarat Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026 provides several financial and non-financial benefits to attract investors.
Major incentives include:
- Capital assistance.
- Stamp duty concessions.
- Interest subsidies.
- Dredging assistance.
- Incentives for procurement from MSMEs.
- Electricity tariff subsidies.
- Water charge subsidies.
- Special support for marine equipment manufacturing clusters.
Additional benefits have also been announced for early investors who begin project development within the specified timeline.
Single-Window Clearance System for Faster Approvals
To make investment easier, the Gujarat government will establish a dedicated single-window clearance mechanism.
The system aims to:
- Provide faster approvals.
- Simplify project implementation.
- Reduce administrative delays.
- Offer a dedicated grievance redressal platform for investors.
The move is expected to improve the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
Gujarat Sets Ambitious Shipbuilding and Skill Development Targets
Under the new policy, the state government has set major targets for the coming years.
The key objectives include:
- Increasing Gujarat’s shipbuilding capacity to more than 5 million deadweight tonnage (DWT).
- Establishing two Integrated Mega Shipbuilding Parks.
- Training more than five lakh people through skill development and capacity-building programmes.
The Gujarat Maritime Board has also prepared implementation guidelines to simplify applications and speed up project execution.
Policy to Strengthen Green and Smart Maritime Development
The policy places special emphasis on sustainable maritime growth by promoting green technologies and smart shipyard development.
The initiative is expected to support:
- Cleaner shipbuilding practices.
- Modern technology adoption.
- Sustainable infrastructure development.
- Long-term growth of India’s maritime economy.
Senior Officials Attend Policy Launch Event
Several senior officials attended the launch of the Gujarat Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026, including:
- Chief Secretary M.K. Das.
- Chief Minister’s Chief Advisor Hasmukh Adhia.
- Gujarat Maritime Board Chairman S.S. Rathore.
- Principal Secretary Sanjeev Kumar.
- Ports and Transport Principal Secretary Harit Shukla.
- Gujarat Maritime Board Vice Chairman and CEO Dr. Ajay Kumar.
The launch marks a major step towards strengthening Gujarat’s role in India’s maritime sector and creating a globally competitive shipbuilding ecosystem.
