Bhubaneswar: In a significant boost to maritime ventures, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and the Odisha Maritime Board (OMB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a mega shipbuilding cluster in Odisha.
This partnership, signed on Friday, aligns with India’s ambitious Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to position the nation among the top five shipbuilding countries globally.
The proposed shipbuilding cluster will be located on the Mahanadi riverbank in Kendrapada district opposite the IFFCO Plant in Paradip with an estimated cost of Rs 24,700 crore. The project aims to create a fully integrated ecosystem, featuring one or more large shipyards with a combined capacity of 1.0-1.2 million Gross Tonnage (GT) per year, an official statement said.
Key components of the planned cluster include:
A dedicated waterfront of 2.0-2.5 km and a land area of 2,000-2,500 acres.
Space for ancillary industries like engine manufacturing, steel fabrication, and equipment suppliers to support the shipbuilding process.
Common infrastructure, including administrative offices, training centres, and research and development facilities.
The PPA and OMB will collaborate on developing the necessary land-side and river-side infrastructure to fast-track the project. This cluster-based approach is designed to attract investment, enhance competitiveness, and drive sustainable growth in India’s commercial shipbuilding capacity.
Bahuda Satellite Port:
In another major development, the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha Maritime Board, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation inked a landmark tripartite pact for the development of a new satellite port in the state. The deal is for the Bahuda satellite port in Ganjam district at an investment of Rs 21,500 crore, sources said.
