The government on Saturday said that under the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP), a total of 288 contracts worth Rs 19,748 crore, covering 456 vessels, have received in-principle approval to date.
Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy Supports 456 Vessels
Moreover, total financial assistance amounting to Rs 620.57 crore has been disbursed to 23 shipyards for the construction and delivery of 204 vessels, according to the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
The types of vessels covered include tugs, general cargo vessel, bulk carrier, oil tanker, crane pontoon, heavy deck cargo vessel, RO-RO pax vessel, crew boat, deck loading craft, coastal research vessel, modular pontoon, passenger catamaran, passenger cum motor cycle ferry, passenger ferry, landing craft, jack-up barge and self-elevating platform.
Shipbuilding Development Scheme to boost Indian shipyards
The government in September 2025 approved the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SBDS) having provision for credit risk coverage to Indian shipyard and viability gap funding in the form of capital assistance to brownfield/existing Indian shipyards towards expansion of production capacity.
The guidelines for the same have been issued recently, the minister said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
An assessment of the shipbuilding sector through a third party was conducted in 2024.
The report highlighted the shipbuilding sector’s high employment multiplier of 6.4 and a huge potential for generating both direct and indirect employment.
Further, it also highlighted challenges constraining the growth of shipbuilding in India like lack of domestic demand, high cost of financing, capacity and technology limitations, etc.
Government launches Maritime Development Fund to strengthen shipbuilding
To address these challenges, the government approved SBFAS, Maritime Development Fund (MDF) and Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SBDS) to enhance India’s global competitiveness in shipbuilding and maritime sector.
The government recently notified the operational guidelines for two major shipbuilding initiatives with Rs 44,700 crore outlay, which are aimed at strengthening India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity and improving global competitiveness.
Under the SBFAS, which has a total corpus of Rs 24,736 crore, the government will provide financial assistance ranging from 15 per cent to 25 per cent per vessel, depending on the vessel category.
Over the next decade, SBFAS is expected to support shipbuilding projects worth about Rs 96,000 crore, stimulate domestic manufacturing and generate employment across the maritime value chain.
Frequently asked questions:
1.How many shipbuilding contracts has the Centre approved?
The government has approved 288 shipbuilding contracts worth Rs 19,748 crore covering 456 vessels under the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy.
2.What is the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy?
The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) provides financial assistance to Indian shipyards to support ship construction and improve competitiveness in the maritime sector.
3.What types of vessels are included in the shipbuilding contracts?
The vessels include tugs, cargo vessels, oil tankers, passenger ferries, research vessels, crew boats, landing craft and self-elevating platforms.
