India is seeking collaboration and to benefit from South Korean expertise to enhance its shipbuilding industry and achieve its goal of becoming one of the top five countries in this field by 2047. Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Minister of Shipping, during his four-day visit to South Korea, urged Indian experts working in the shipbuilding industry in the country to help strengthen India's domestic shipyards.
Developing Maritime Cooperation
This visit comes six months after India and South Korea approved the VOYAGES framework to expand cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime transport, and marine logistics. Sonowal, at the start of his trip to Busan, met with Indian experts associated with leading companies such as Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai, and DNV, asking them to apply their experiences in South Korea's shipbuilding industry for the benefit of Indian companies.
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Collaboration Priorities
The Minister of Shipping identified three main priorities for collaboration: improving the productivity of shipyards and project execution, developing a skilled workforce with global competitiveness, and expanding cooperation in technology, manufacturing, and innovation. Sonowal emphasized that India needs more shipbuilders, marine engineers, naval architects, designers, welders, project managers, and technology experts to help realize the country's maritime aspirations.
The Minister also urged Indian experts in Korea to engage in training youth and participating in initiatives such as the Indian Shipbuilding Technology Center and the Shipbuilding Skills Partnership, which includes the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Key Projects
India and South Korea approved the VOYAGES framework during the visit of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to India in April 2026. This framework aims to connect South Korea's shipbuilding capabilities with India's plans to expand shipyards, marine manufacturing, and port infrastructure. One proposed project in this collaboration is the construction of a large shipbuilding yard in Tuticorin, located in Tamil Nadu state. An agreement signed in April between HD Korean Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, the National Heavy Shipbuilding and Engineering Park, and the Sagarmala Financial Company anticipates that this facility will have an annual capacity of 2.5 million gross tons.
This project is expected to create around 15,000 direct jobs once its operations stabilize. Currently, a detailed project report is underway.
India's Future Outlook
The government's vision, titled "Maritime Era 2047," aims to position India among the top five shipbuilding countries in the world and increase annual shipbuilding production to 4.5 million gross tons. Additionally, Sonowal has planned meetings with shipbuilding industry leaders, maritime organizations, and research institutions during his trip to South Korea.
The Minister is also set to participate in a ministerial roundtable in Busan on the occasion of World Maritime Day on October 26. Discussions in this session will focus on international maritime cooperation and the implementation of industrial regulations.
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