Gujarat Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026 Launched

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday launched the Gujarat Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Policy 2026, an initiative aimed at positioning the state as India’s leading hub for shipbuilding and ship repair through world-class infrastructure, advanced technology and investor-friendly policies, a press release said.

As per the press note, the policy seeks to leverage Gujarat’s 2,340-km coastline, the longest in the country, along with its well-developed port infrastructure, strong industrial base and maritime heritage to boost the sector.

A key feature of the policy is the development of Integrated Mega Shipbuilding Parks (IMSPs), which will house modern shipyards, marine equipment clusters, testing facilities, logistics infrastructure, research and development centres, and skill development institutes. The policy also focuses on promoting supporting industries, green and smart shipyards, startups and innovation in the maritime sector.

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. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the project are being prepared by the Gujarat Maritime Board. The cluster is expected to include two to three world-class shipyards and supporting industries, with an estimated private investment of around ₹23,700 crore.

To support the ecosystem, the government plans to develop common marine and land-based infrastructure worth approximately ₹3,300 crore. These facilities will include breakwaters, floating cranes, heavy-lift ships, dredging works, harbour basin development, navigation channels, roads, power supply, water infrastructure and other shared utilities. Financial support for these projects will be provided under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme of both the Central and Gujarat governments.

According to the government, the integrated infrastructure approach is expected to reduce project costs for investors, speed up implementation and strengthen Gujarat’s position as a global shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing hub.

The policy also offers a range of financial and non-financial incentives, including capital assistance, stamp duty concessions, interest subsidies, dredging assistance, incentives for procurement from MSMEs, electricity tariff and water charge subsidies, as well as special benefits for marine equipment manufacturing clusters. Additional incentives have been announced for early investors who commence development within the prescribed timeline.

To simplify the investment process, the state will establish a single-window clearance system and a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism to facilitate faster approvals and timely execution of projects.

The government has set ambitious targets under the policy, including increasing Gujarat’s shipbuilding capacity to more than 5 million deadweight tonnage (DWT), establishing two Integrated Mega Shipbuilding Parks, and training over five lakh people through skill development and capacity-building initiatives.

The Gujarat Maritime Board has also prepared implementation guidelines to simplify the application process for developers and investors and accelerate project execution.

Senior officials, 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, and Gujarat Maritime Board Vice Chairman and CEO Dr. Ajay Kumar, were present at the launch of the policy. DeshGujarat