Tamil Nadu will soon have two new greenfield commercial shipyards in the southern districts with a total investment of ₹30,000 crore. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the projects will put southern Tamil Nadu on the global shipbuilding map and create over 55,000 jobs.In a post on X, Mr. Stalin said Tamils have a proud history in shipbuilding, even mentioned in Sangam-era songs. He noted that the new shipyards in Tuticorin will form a strong base for the growth and development of southern Tamil Nadu. “Sangam-era mariners carried Tamil trade across oceans. Today, the Dravidian Model steers southern Tamil Nadu into the global map of shipbuilding,” he wrote.
According to Industries Minister T.R.B. Raaja, Cochin Shipyard Limited will invest ₹15,000 crore in a global-scale shipyard, creating 10,000 jobs in the first phase. Another ₹15,000 crore project will be set up by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, which will generate over 45,000 jobs.
Mr. Raaja said this is a historic milestone and announced that a dedicated company will be formed to promote shipbuilding in Tamil Nadu. Earlier this month, SIPCOT and VOC Port, Tuticorin, signed an MoU to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to support the sector.
The Minister also said Tamil Nadu’s first-ever Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2024 will be unveiled soon. He added that the state aims to attract more shipyards and make Tamil Nadu a global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation.