Ahmedabad: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the development of a ship repair facility at Vadinar in Devbhumi Dwarka district. The project will be jointly implemented by Deendayal Port Authority and Cochin Shipyard Limited with a combined investment of Rs 1,570 crore.The project will include a 650-metre jetty, floating dry docks, workshops, and allied marine infrastructure. Strategically located, with deep-draft access and proximity to major ports such as Mundra and Kandla, the facility will cater to large commercial and foreign-flagged vessels.The project is expected to bridge a key gap in India’s ship repair ecosystem, which currently lacks the capacity to service vessels over 230 metre. Once operational, it will be able to handle ships of up to 300 metres, reducing dependence on overseas shipyards and cutting foreign exchange outgo.“Enhanced turnaround times and strengthened repair capabilities on the western coast will improve the overall competitiveness of Indian ports. The project is expected to create sustainable employment, generating approximately 290 direct and around 1,100 indirect jobs across ship repair, logistics, and ancillary industries, while catalysing a broader maritime industrial ecosystem,” government officials said.
