TN govt launches shipbuilding policy; focus on sustainability

Chennai: Aiming to get a share in the global shipbuilding industry, which is valued at nearly 14.5 lakh crore, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday unveiled its policy dealing with shipyards, repair and maintenance services, and green ship recycling.The state envisions establishing itself as a global leader in sustainable and technologically advanced shipbuilding and positioning Tamil Nadu as a hub for high-value, large ocean-going vessels, including very large crude carriers. It offers a slew of incentives for multiple categories of maritime structures including defence craft, submarines, luxury yachts, and offshore docks used for vessel repair and maintenance, besides promoting R&D institutions and global capability centres (GCCs) in the sector.
It focuses on making TN the shipbuilding and repair capital of the country, the policy released by chief minister M K Stalin said. The state seeks to emerge as the destination of choice for global shipbuilders and investors by creating world-class infrastructure, targeted incentives, and a focus on sustainability. It aims to nurture a shipbuilding cluster that accelerates economic growth, generates high-quality employment, and sets new global benchmarks for the maritime industry.In 2025, TOI was the first to report that the Tamil Nadu government is coming up with a policy on maritime transport manufacturing.Drawing inspiration from international models that have developed world-class shipyard infrastructure and shipbuilding capabilities, the policy said, the Centre has announced a Rs 69,725 crore support package to revitalise the country's shipbuilding sector.Tamil Nadu Shipbuilding Policy 2026 underscored that the state has a long coastline comprising three major ports, seven government captive ports, and 17 non-major ports. According to the policy, a Special Purpose Vehicle - NSHIPTN - with separate legal existence under the state-owned Sipcot will play a crucial role in enabling smoother financing of shipyards. Incentives will be in the form of private equity, asset leasing, capital subsidy on the eligible fixed assets and production linked incentives. While subsidies would be provided to promote marine component manufacturing industry, the Government of Tamil Nadu will collaborate with the Indian Maritime University (IMU) to design and deliver specialised courses aligned with industry requirements."Tamil Nadu has a natural advantage: 1,076 km coastline, deep water access capable of handling vessels above 2,00,000 DWT and a manufacturing ecosystem with more than 40,000 factories," industries minister T R B Rajaa posted on X after the policy was unveiled.