India is seeking investment and technology transfer from South Korea and Japan to set up ship manufacturing and repair centres (clusters) to boost the domestic ship supply chain in the country. At present, India has less than one per cent of the global ship manufacturing market. China, South Korea and Japan dominate this market. Let us also tell you what kind of discussions are going on between India, South Korea and Japan on this matter.
Shipbuilding Park Plan
TK Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, told reporters that we are looking for investments and technology transfer from South Korea and Japan to set up ship manufacturing and repair centres in India. Ramachandran was in Goa to attend the 20th Maritime States Development Council (MSDC), where plans for a mega ship manufacturing park in various states were discussed. He said that we have told them (South Korea and Japan) that you come with your technology and investment, we will provide you land to set up shipbuilding and repair clusters.
A letter has been written to the states.
Ramachandran said that Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has written a letter to the Chief Ministers of all the states saying that if Japanese or Korean companies show interest in setting up shipbuilding and repair clusters in their states, then they should immediately get the land. Vadhavan Port is being prepared near Dahanu town in Palghar district of Maharashtra. It will be the largest port in the country. The main objective of constructing this port is to establish a world-class maritime gateway. The construction of this port is estimated to cost Rs 76,000 crore.
