MDL Signs MoU with Tamil Nadu to Develop World-Class Shipyard on East Coast

In a major stride towards strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to explore the development of a world-class greenfield shipyard on the country’s eastern coast. This strategic collaboration falls under the ambitious Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a long-term blueprint laid out by the Government of India to bolster the nation’s maritime capabilities and shipbuilding ecosystem.

Partnership for Maritime Excellence

• The MoU was signed on September 19, 2025, between Shri Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding), MDL, and Dr. Darez Ahamed, IAS, Managing Director and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state’s nodal agency for investment promotion and facilitation.
• The signing took place during a high-profile ceremony organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
• The event was graced by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, who oversees MoPSW, further signaling the central government’s commitment to India’s maritime growth and defense production capacity.

Strategic Significance of the Greenfield Shipyard

• This proposed shipyard is envisioned to be a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance India’s shipbuilding capacity, naval preparedness, and commercial maritime prowess.
• Establishing such a shipyard on the eastern coast complements existing infrastructure on the western coast, helping to balance regional industrial development and create high-value jobs in Tamil Nadu.
• As a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, MDL brings decades of experience in building advanced warships, submarines, and commercial vessels.
• This experience will be critical in shaping the new facility into a center of maritime excellence.

Key Takeaways

• MoU signed on September 19, 2025, between MDL and Guidance Tamil Nadu.
• Project is part of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
• Shipyard to be developed on India’s eastern coast, likely in Tamil Nadu.
• Event held in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, organized by MoPSW.