Dugarajapatnam Shipbuilding Cluster Gets In-Principle Approval, Says Sonowal
The proposed greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam, on the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh facing the Bay of Bengal, has received in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced this at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on 12 November.
According to the ministry’s release, the cluster carries an estimated investment of about ₹30,000 crore and a target capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnes of ships a year. A special purpose vehicle involving the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board and the Visakhapatnam Port Authority has been formed to take the project forward. Dugarajapatnam was earlier named among the sites where Mazagon Dock is seeking partners for new shipbuilding clusters.
From the CrewMirror Blog
The minister said four greenfield ports are under construction in the state: Mulapeta, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam and Kakinada SCJ Port. He added that Visakhapatnam Port handled a record 91.17 million tonnes of cargo in 2025–26, its fourth year of growth, and referred to the new projects launched at Visakhapatnam Port a day earlier.
Sonowal invited global shipbuilders, equipment makers and investors to take part in the state’s maritime plans, which he linked to Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The release does not name any investor or confirm signed agreements, and in-principle approval is an early step before land, financing and construction are finalised. If built, the cluster would add to India’s capacity to build and repair ships at home, creating technical jobs on India’s east coast.
CrewMirror Takeaway
New Indian shipyards could in time open shore roles for experienced seafarers, such as newbuilding supervision, sea trials and ship repair. Marine engineers and officers planning a move ashore may wish to follow how this project develops.
