Our shipyards powering PM Modi’s vision to make India a top shipbuilder: Minister
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New Delhi, Dec 13: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated on Saturday that Indian shipyards are driving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to position India as a global leader in shipbuilding.
Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL), a subsidiary of CSL, has formalized an agreement with Heritage River Journeys Pvt Ltd to construct an 80-passenger luxury river cruise ship for operation on the Brahmaputra River.
Sonowal emphasized this development in a social media post: “Unstoppable momentum in Indian Shipbuilding! A significant milestone for ‘Make in India’ as HCSL signs the contract for the second 80-pax luxury river cruise vessel for the Brahmaputra.”
The minister further noted, “Our shipyards are advancing PM Narendra Modi’s vision to establish India as a global shipbuilding leader. By delivering world-class vessels, we’re not only enhancing inland waterway transport but also engineering our nation’s maritime future.”
Recent government data reveals a remarkable surge in passenger traffic on National Waterways (NWs), growing nearly fivefold from 1.61 crore in 2023-24 to 7.64 crore in 2024-25. Cargo movement has similarly expanded, nearly doubling from 83.6 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 145.84 million tonnes in the current fiscal year.
To bolster inland water transport, the Government initiated the Jalvahak scheme with a ₹95.42 crore budget spanning FY 2024-25 to FY 2026-27. This initiative provides cargo owners financial incentives covering 35% of operational expenses incurred during waterway transportation.
In a strategic move to enhance India’s shipbuilding capabilities, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) recently entered a long-term partnership with South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering. This collaboration aims to merge CSL’s domestic expertise with HD Korea’s technological prowess and international experience.
–IANS
