NEW DELHI: New Delhi’s maritime diplomacy gained new momentum at India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 in Mumbai , where state-owned Hindustan Shipyard, a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed several strategic agreements. This included one with MCI World LLC of Dubai to expand ship repair and refit services across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Held from October 27-31, the event drew shipbuilders, port authorities, and technology firms from across the world.
Organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Indian Ports Association (IPA) , the forum reflected India’s broader ambition under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to strengthen its shipbuilding base and industrial partnerships. The state-owned Mini-ratna shipyard used the platform to highlight its capacity for refits, submarine upgrades, and green propulsion projects. The agreement with MCI World LLC is designed to facilitate vessel maintenance in Gulf and North African ports, an area where reliable mid-life repair infrastructure remains limited. Senior management from the shipyard took part in policy dialogues on maritime industrialization, sustainability, and technology integration, part of a larger national effort to turn India’s shipyards into globally competitive players through innovation and collaboration.
New partnerships signed during IMW highlighted the focus on cleaner propulsion and digital training. Agreements with IPA and Lotus Wireless India Pvt. Ltd. aim to support hydrogen- and electric-powered tug development under the Green Tug Transition Programme. Another understanding with the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) will promote upskilling in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and AI applications for maritime industries. Collaborations with the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Dredging Corporation of India are set to boost the country’s coastal logistics and repair ecosystem, reinforcing domestic industrial capacity even as international linkages grow.
The PSU is also pursuing a greenfield expansion in Andhra Pradesh to handle larger vessels and more complex construction projects, both for naval and commercial clients. The initiative aligns with national priorities to boost indigenous manufacturing and maritime self-reliance. At the Andhra Pradesh State Session on Shipbuilding, attended by Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy and Special Chief Secretary MT Krishna Babu, officials discussed strategies to develop a regional shipbuilding cluster and attract global partners to India’s eastern seaboard.
