New Delhi: In a move set to bolster India’s maritime capabilities and trade capacity, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced major investments totaling ₹57,000 crores for the expansion of Kandla Port. The announcement includes the construction of a new Mega Shipbuilding Project worth ₹30,000 crores and a new cargo terminal outside Kandla creek valued at ₹27,000 crores, a PIB release stated.
The new Mega Shipbuilding Facility, spanning over 8,000 acres, will be equipped to construct large vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) with a capacity of up to 320,000 tonnes DWT. This facility aims to produce 32 new ships and repair 50 older vessels annually, the release added. The project is anticipated to generate significant economic benefits and employment opportunities in the region, particularly in ancillary manufacturing and assembly sectors. The facility will also include components like a Marina, Fishing Harbour, Townships, and a Marine Industrial Cluster.
The Union Minister emphasized that the new shipbuilding facility would not only boost domestic shipbuilding capacity but also contribute to global production.