New Vadinar facility to dry dock Capesize vessels, boosting India’s ship repair sector.
Cochin Shipyard and Deendayal Port Authority are partnering to establish a high-capacity ship repair facility at Vadinar, Gujarat, with a ₹1,600 crore investment. The planned facility will feature capabilities for dry docking Capesize vessels, a first for India, which currently lacks infrastructure for these large vessels.
As part of the collaboration, Deendayal Port Authority will develop a jetty, while Cochin Shipyard will install a floating dry dock and manage the facility’s operations. The port authority will earn revenue shares and lease rentals, enhancing local economic benefits. Vadinar’s deep draft, ranging from 15 to 18 meters, and existing environmental clearance make it an ideal location for this state-of-the-art yard.
India’s strategic position along key shipping routes positions it as a promising hub for ship repair, with projected sector growth of 8-10 percent annually. This initiative reflects the government’s push to reduce reliance on foreign dry docks, as 30 percent of Indian vessels currently rely on international facilities.
