VOC Port, Tamil Nadu Government Join Hands to Launch Mega Shipbuilding Hub at Tuticorin

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) and the Tamil Nadu government have teamed up to create a large-scale shipbuilding and heavy industries hub in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi), marking a major boost for India’s domestic maritime manufacturing sector.

The partnership has been formalized through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu, structured as a 50:50 joint venture between VOC Port and the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT).

This move follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2025 in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighting the continued collaboration between the Centre and the state to strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem.

The proposed cluster at Tuticorin will focus on commercial shipbuilding, ship repair facilities, and allied heavy industries, aiming to boost domestic capacity and reduce dependency on international shipyards. The initiative aligns with the Union Cabinet-backed Shipbuilding Development Scheme, designed to expand India’s shipbuilding capabilities, promote modern technologies, and enhance maritime infrastructure.

VOC Port Chairman, Susanta Kumar Purohit, called the joint venture a “transformative milestone for VOC Port and India’s maritime ambitions,” underscoring its significance for the nation’s industrial and trade growth.

Located in southern Tamil Nadu, VOC Port is one of India’s 12 major ports under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, handling containerized, bulk, and break-bulk cargo, and serving as a vital gateway for regional trade and industrial development.