India’s shipbuilding sector continues to expand as the country works to strengthen its maritime economy and lessen its dependency on foreign-built vessels. The industry is seeing a revival of growth and modernisation driven by favourable government policies, expanding port infrastructure, and growing demand from shipping, offshore energy, coastal transportation, and interior waterways.
India currently has an extensive network of shipyards, ranging from long-standing public sector facilities to cutting-edge private companies with state-of-the-art infrastructure that can serve both commercial and offshore sectors.
Below is a summary of the seven major shipyards that supply India’s commercial maritime capabilities.
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
Cochin Shipyard Limited is one of the biggest shipbuilding and ship repair companies in India. The shipyard has successfully produced a wide variety of merchant ships in recent years, including tankers, bulk carriers, passenger ships, and offshore support vessels. In addition, its substantial dry dock infrastructure and outstanding engineering capabilities have contributed to the development of a ship repair ecosystem that serves commercial fleets around the world. CSL continues to be an essential pillar of India’s commercial shipbuilding industry because to its extensive track record and diverse portfolio.
CSL continues to be an essential pillar of India’s commercial shipbuilding industry because to its extensive track record and diverse portfolio
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI)
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited hosts one of India’s largest private shipbuilding complexes and is emerging as a major force in large‑scale commercial shipbuilding. Spread across more than 600 acres, the facility operates across three core verticals: commercial and defence newbuilds, ship repair and refits, and heavy engineering with offshore fabrication.
At the centre of the shipyard’s infrastructure is India’s largest dry dock, measuring 662 metres by 65 metres. This dock is capable of constructing very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and ultra‑large crude carriers (ULCCs) of up to 400,000 DWT ranking it among Asia’s fourth largest and the world’s seventh‑largest dry docks.
The shipyard also features a state-of-the-art heavy engineering complex, which includes one of India’s largest block construction zones with over 2.41 million square feet of covered fabrication space and an annual steel fabrication capacity of nearly 164,000 metric tonnes. SDHI houses India’s largest pipe shop, capable of producing up to 1,000 spools per day, and one of the country’s major semi‑automatic panel lines. Additionally, it operates India’s only dedicated offshore fabrication yard, spanning 750 metres by 265 metres, supporting fabrication, assembly and load-out of offshore and renewable energy structures of up to 10,000 tonnes per month.
SDHI houses India’s largest pipe shop, capable of producing up to 1,000 spools per day, and one of the country’s major semi‑automatic panel lines. Additionally, it operates India’s only dedicated offshore fabrication yard, spanning 750 metres by 265 metres, supporting fabrication, assembly and load-out of offshore and renewable energy structures of up to 10,000 tonnes per month
Hindustan Shipyard Limited
Hindustan Shipyard Limited, a Visakhapatnam-based company, has a long history of constructing merchant ships for both domestic and foreign clients. The shipyard has produced tankers, bulk carriers, offshore supply ships, and specialised maritime assets over the years. The region’s commercial fleet operations are still significantly supported by HSL’s ship repair and refit capabilities.
Shipbuilding by Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
L&T Shipbuilding is a state-of-the-art shipyard in Kattupalli, close to Chennai. The facility is well-equipped to build complex vessels, including heavy engineering structures, specialised commercial craft, and offshore support ships. The shipyard handles complex maritime and offshore infrastructure projects for both domestic and international markets because to its integrated design strengths, modular construction techniques, and strong engineering skills.
L&T Shipbuilding is a state-of-the-art shipyard in Kattupalli, close to Chennai. The facility is well-equipped to build complex vessels, including heavy engineering structures, specialised commercial craft, and offshore support ships
Chowgule Shipyards
Chowgule Shipyards, which has its headquarters in Goa, has established a significant position in the building of small to medium-sized commercial vessels. The yard has supplied multipurpose cargo ships, offshore boats and bulk carriers to clients all over the world. It has established itself as a significant private-sector shipbuilder in India primarily because of its steady focus on exports and expertise specific vessel categories.
Garden Reach Engineers & Shipbuilders
Although GRSE is most renowned for its naval shipbuilding skills, the business has also supplied both domestic and foreign clients with cargo ships, ferries, and specialised commercial craft. The yard, which is located in Kolkata, uses strong design and modular construction techniques to manufacture a wide variety of vessels. India’s maritime manufacturing ecosystem greatly benefits from its engineering depth and experience with export-focused projects.
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)
Goa Shipyard Limited is capable of building support ships, patrol boats, and other types of maritime platforms. The shipyard has taken on a few commercial and export shipbuilding projects while maintaining a strong defence focus. GSL is a crucial part of the nation’s larger shipbuilding network because of its advantageous position along India’s western coast and its engineering expertise.
