Maharashtra has identified Dighi in Raigad district as the preferred location for a proposed ₹20,000 crore greenfield shipbuilding cluster, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s shipbuilding capabilities. The state government is also working to bring Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) on board as the anchor shipyard for the project.
According to M. Angamuthu, Chairman of the Mumbai Port Authority, Dighi has been almost finalised for the project. The Mumbai Port Authority and the Maharashtra government have formed an equal Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to develop the shipbuilding cluster, including common land and seaside infrastructure.
The SPV has requested Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd to support the project as the anchor shipyard, and the company has formally confirmed its support. Earlier this year, MDL also stated that it was actively evaluating the development of a new mega shipyard in Maharashtra to support India’s ambition of becoming one of the world’s top 5 shipbuilding nations by 2047.
The Maharashtra government had earlier shortlisted Nandgaon, Dighi and Vijaydurg for the project. Haskoning India Consulting Pvt. Ltd. has been appointed to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study for the Dighi cluster. The proposed site is located south of Dighi Port, which is operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ).
The project will receive support under the Union government’s Shipbuilding Development Scheme, which has an allocated budget of ₹19,989 crore. The scheme aims to establish 3–4 greenfield shipbuilding clusters across India, with a maximum of 1 cluster per state. It will provide 100% capital assistance for eligible infrastructure, including breakwaters, basin development, land reclamation, utilities, internal infrastructure and common maritime assets.
Each shipbuilding cluster is planned to include around 2 km of waterfront and approximately 2,000 acres of land, with dedicated space for shipyards, ancillary industries, infrastructure and social facilities. The cluster is expected to support a production capacity of around 1.2 million Gross Tonnage (GT) annually, with at least 1 anchor shipyard designed to achieve a capacity of 0.5 million GT per year within 10 years of commissioning.
The initiative supports India’s broader goal of increasing its shipbuilding output 40 times to 4.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT) by 2037, strengthening the country’s position in the global maritime industry.
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