India’s Shipbuilding: India shared a clear and strong message about its growing shipbuilding power during the Samudra Utkarsh seminar on November 25. Defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke to many global partners and asked them to work with India in the maritime world.
He said that together they can create new sea technologies, safer supply chains, and a better future for everyone. He also said India wants to “shape the maritime century by ‘building not only ships, but trust’; ‘not only platforms, but partnerships’.”
India’s Shipbuilding with Local Strength
Rajnath Singh told the audience that India’s shipbuilding industry now stands firm and protects the country both in the region and around the world. He explained that India’s industry includes public shipyards and private companies, and both sides work together with thousands of MSMEs.
He said, “What truly sets India apart is its integrated end-to-end shipbuilding ecosystem. From concept design and modular construction to outfitting, refit, repairs, and full life cycle support, every stage of the shipbuilding process is indigenously developed and executed.”
Singh said this large system covers everything from steel and engines to electronics and sensors. He said this wide value chain gives India the power to build many kinds of ships. Singh shared that Indian shipyards now make advanced passenger ships, cargo vessels, coastal ferries, pollution control ships, research ships, and even a deep-sea mining support vessel for ISRO and the National Institute of Ocean Technology. He praised private companies and said they now build green-fuel ships, LNG carriers, Roll-On Roll-Off vessels, and energy-saving commercial ships for Indian and global buyers.
The minister said that India can now deliver many types of ships.
He said, “We are capable of delivering aircraft carriers to advanced research vessels and energy-efficient commercial ships. This integrated capability positions India strongly to become a global hub for shipbuilding, ship repair, and maritime innovation in the coming decade.”
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Policies Push
Rajnath Singh said that every ship for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard under construction right now is being made inside India. Singh said India moves forward because of many new policies like Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy, and Defence Procurement Manual 2025.
He also spoke about how India now uses more local parts in its ships. He said, “We also boast of high indigenous content of our platforms. Some of our shipyards are on track to secure 100% indigenous content within this decade. This means that any naval vessel supplied from India will suffer minimum supply chains disruptions.”
Singh said he feels confident that India will soon build its full commercial fleet inside the country. Singh described how Indian shipyards on both coasts now use modern tools. He said they use new fabrication lines, digital shipyard tech, design software, model testing systems, and strong material-handling machines. He said these tools match global standards.
History of Ships
The seminar used the theme “2500 BCE–2025 CE… Celebrating 4,524 Years of Shipbuilding Excellence.” Rajnath Singh said the theme shows India’s long history with ships. Singh said the story goes from the old docks of Lothal to the busy shipyards of Mumbai, Goa, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Kochi. He said India’s sea story shows strength and growth across time. He added that the old spirit of travel, ideas, and connection lives on in India’s work today.
