MDL to Invest ₹27,000 Crore in Dighi Shipbuilding Hub, 90,000 Jobs Expected

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) will invest around ₹27,000 crore to establish a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, with the project expected to generate around 90,000 jobs, the Maharashtra government said on Tuesday.

MDL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Ltd (NSHIPML) in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, an official release said.

Under the agreement, MDL has set a target of achieving an annual shipbuilding capacity of at least 2 million gross tonnes at Dighi.The project will enable the construction of large commercial vessels and is aimed at strengthening the country’s maritime industrial capabilities, according to the release.

The greenfield shipbuilding cluster is being developed jointly by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the Mumbai Port Authority through NSHIPML, a special-purpose company established for the project.

The project is being taken forward under the Centre’s Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster Development Plan and is expected to complement the objectives of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

According to the Maharashtra government, the Dighi project will create modern shipbuilding infrastructure along with an industrial and supply chain ecosystem to support the sector.

It is expected to boost domestic shipbuilding capacity, attract technology and investment, create skilled employment and enhance India’s competitiveness in the global maritime sector, the release said.

MDL Chairman and Managing Director Captain Jagmohan said the company would work towards creating a modern and globally competitive shipbuilding facility at Dighi with the cooperation of all stakeholders.Captain Jagmohan signed the MoU with NSHIPML Managing Director Pradeep P, the release said.

The project’s planned annual capacity of 2 million gross tonnes will support the construction of large commercial vessels. The proposed investment is part of efforts under the Centre’s shipbuilding cluster development plan.

The Dighi facility is expected to generate 90,000 jobs, according to the state government release.

The project will involve development of shipbuilding infrastructure and an associated industrial and supply chain ecosystem through NSHIPML.The Maharashtra Maritime Board and Mumbai Port Authority are developing the cluster jointly through the special-purpose company.