Thoothukudi: South Korea’s shipbuilding major HD Hyundai has confirmed plans to set up its first shipyard in India, marking a major boost for the country’s maritime and manufacturing sectors. The company has identified Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu as the preferred location for the project, signalling confidence in the state’s coastal infrastructure, port connectivity and policy environment.
According to industry sources, while TN remains the front-runner, the firm is also evaluating options in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh before finalising the investment destination. The move aligns with India’s push to strengthen its shipbuilding capacity under initiatives such as Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision, and defence indigenisation programmes.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world’s largest shipbuilding company by capacity, is also in the final stages of negotiating a partnership with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL). Such a collaboration could include technology transfer, advanced vessel design, and joint construction of commercial as well as defence-grade ships. Officials believe the partnership would significantly enhance India’s capacities in complex shipbuilding projects, ranging from LNG carriers to next-gen naval platforms.
Experts say the entry of HHI into India could attract a cluster of maritime ancillaries, generate thousands of skilled jobs, and position India as an emerging hub in the global shipbuilding chain. With demand for cargo vessels, green ships and offshore structures rising, the timing of Hyundai’s investment is seen as strategically important.
The final site announcement and project details, including investment size and timelines, are expected soon, once discussions with both state governments and CSL conclude.
