Andhra Pradesh's shipbuilding push gains momentum with Mazagon Dock and Goa Shipyard tie-ups
Andhra Pradesh has secured partnerships with Mazagon Dock and Goa Shipyard for shipbuilding clusters, with new ports targeted for 2027.
Andhra Pradesh's plan to build shipbuilding clusters has received a significant boost through partnerships with two major public sector shipyards. Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDSL) signed an agreement with the State government earlier this week for a proposed mega shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam in Tirupati district, with an investment of ₹15,000 crore. Separately, the State Cabinet on September 23 approved a 400-acre shipbuilding facility at Machilipatnam in partnership with Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL), which has committed ₹8,000 crore.
The detailed project report for the Dugarajapatnam cluster is under preparation and is expected to be ready by the end of January 2027, according to A.P. Maritime Board CEO C.V. Praveen Adhithya. Acquisition of about 2,200 acres for the project is in advanced stages.
MDSL is open to partnering with global shipbuilding majors such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Imabari Shipbuilding, both for funding and for deploying technologies they have developed. The State has already showcased shipbuilding opportunities to these firms and invited them to consider partnering with the government. The companies are currently evaluating their options.
Meanwhile, the government has invited interested companies to inspect the Kakinada gateway port area, highlighting its natural draft and the nearby special economic zone as key advantages for setting up a shipbuilding unit.
The State is targeting the initial phases of greenfield seaports under construction at Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam and Mulapeta in Srikakulam district, along with the Kakinada gateway port, to be operational by the end of 2027. The operator for Ramayapatnam port is expected to be finalised next month.
Existing ports outside the major port category in Andhra Pradesh currently handle about 100 million tonnes of cargo annually. The new ports under construction are expected to add approximately another 100 million tonnes per annum to that capacity.