SEOUL, South Korea: HD Hyundai has begun evaluating the establishment of a new shipyard in India following the signing of a strategic and comprehensive partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step in its India-focused expansion strategy.
The agreement related to the proposed HD Hyundai shipyard in India was formalised at a recent ceremony in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, attended by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa, and Choi Hannae, Head of Corporate Planning at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
HD Hyundai Shipyard in India Aligned with India’s Maritime Vision 2047
The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,” which aims to position the country among the world’s top five shipbuilding and shipping nations.
As part of this national strategy, the Indian government is reviewing both the expansion of existing shipyards and the development of new shipbuilding facilities.
Also Read: India Maritime Week 2025: PM Modi Unveils INR 70,000 Crore Shipbuilding Investment
Several states, including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, have been shortlisted as potential sites for the new shipyard.
Tamil Nadu, prioritising shipbuilding as a key economic driver, has enhanced its policy framework through incentives, infrastructure development, and skilled workforce support. As a result, the state government has selected HD Hyundai as its preferred partner for the proposed project.
Tamil Nadu Emerges as Preferred Location for HD Hyundai Shipyard in India
Within Tamil Nadu, the Thoothukudi region has emerged as a strong candidate site for the HD Hyundai shipyard in India. The region’s temperature and rainfall conditions closely resemble those of Ulsan, South Korea, where HD Hyundai Heavy Industries operates its flagship facilities.
The area already hosts major Korean companies, including Hyundai Motor Company and Samsung Electronics, and is expected to benefit from upcoming large-scale investments in port infrastructure.
HD Hyundai Expands Crane Manufacturing and Port Equipment Collaboration
Earlier this month, HD Hyundai signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a state-owned enterprise under India’s Ministry of Defence, to collaborate on maritime and port crane development. The agreement was signed in Bengaluru, where BEML is headquartered.
Under this collaboration, HD Hyundai plans to work with BEML across the full crane manufacturing value chain, covering design, production, and quality assurance. The objective is to gradually localise port crane manufacturing in India and supply equipment such as goliath and jib cranes to domestic shipyards.
Also Read: Cochin Shipyard and HD Hyundai to Collaborate on Design, Procurement, Global Ship Orders
Track Record Strengthens HD Hyundai Shipyard in India Plans
HD Hyundai Samho, the group’s shipbuilding affiliate, delivered a 600-ton goliath crane to Cochin Shipyard, India’s largest state-owned shipbuilder, in February this year.
In addition, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering announced in August its decision to acquire HD Hyundai Eco Vina from Doosan Enerbility, reinforcing the group’s expansion in the crane and port infrastructure segment.
HD Hyundai has also been strengthening its collaboration with Cochin Shipyard. In July, the two parties signed an MOU covering design and procurement support, productivity improvement, and human resource development. More recently, this cooperation has been expanded to include naval vessel projects, further consolidating HD Hyundai’s footprint in India.
An HD Hyundai official stated that India represents a market with strong growth potential, supported by the government’s active commitment to developing the shipbuilding industry.
