Maharashtra is preparing to introduce a comprehensive maritime development policy as it seeks to attract investment in shipbuilding, ship repair, ports and related infrastructure. The proposed framework is expected to offer investors single-window clearances, faster administrative approvals and assistance with land acquisition and environmental permissions. State Fisheries and Ports Development Minister Nitesh Narayan Rane announced the plan at the FICCI Maritime India Conference & Expo 2026.
The policy announcement comes as Maharashtra advances a proposed ₹26,500-crore shipyard project involving the state government, the Union government and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The project is expected to generate approximately 50,000 jobs. The proposed shipyard at Dighi Port in Raigad district is intended to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity and expand Maharashtra’s role in India’s maritime industry.
Maharashtra’s New Maritime Policy: What Investors Can Expect
The proposed maritime development policy is designed to make it easier for companies to establish and expand maritime businesses in Maharashtra. According to Rane, the state intends to provide investors with single-window clearances and dedicated administrative support.
Two major challenges for shipbuilding projects are obtaining environmental permissions and securing suitable land. Both processes can involve multiple departments, regulatory requirements and extended approval timelines.
The state government has indicated that it will help investors navigate these procedures. The proposed measures include:
- Single-window clearances: A coordinated approval mechanism intended to reduce the need for investors to approach multiple departments independently.
- Land acquisition assistance: Government support to help developers secure land for shipyards and maritime infrastructure.
- Environmental approvals: Administrative facilitation for obtaining the required environmental permissions.
- Investment support: Dedicated assistance for companies planning maritime manufacturing, ship repair and related projects.
The government has described the upcoming policy as one of India’s most investor-friendly maritime frameworks. That is its stated ambition, rather than an independently established comparison with policies in other coastal states.
The detailed policy document, including eligibility conditions, incentives, implementation timelines and financial commitments, had not been released in the announcement. Investors will need to assess those provisions once the government formally notifies the framework.
₹26,500-Crore Shipyard Project to Generate Around 50,000 Jobs
A major part of Maharashtra’s maritime investment strategy is the proposed ₹26,500-crore shipyard project involving MDL, the Maharashtra government and the Centre.
The tripartite agreement for the project was signed in October 2026, according to the minister’s announcement. The facility is planned at Dighi Port in Raigad district as part of a greenfield shipbuilding cluster.
The project is expected to generate approximately 50,000 employment opportunities. The proposed investment and job figures represent the project’s announced scale and projections; they should not be interpreted as completed investment or jobs already created.
| Project detail | Announced information |
|---|---|
| Project | Large shipyard development |
| Investment | ₹26,500 crore |
| Key participants | Maharashtra government, Union government and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders |
| Proposed location | Dighi Port, Raigad district |
| Expected employment | Around 50,000 jobs |
| Project status | Agreement announced; development and execution to follow |
A large shipyard can support more than the direct construction of vessels. It can create demand for steel processing, marine engineering, electrical systems, ship components, equipment suppliers, logistics, maintenance and specialised technical services.
The employment impact could therefore extend beyond the shipyard’s direct workforce. However, the actual number of jobs will depend on the project’s development schedule, capacity, supplier ecosystem and operational requirements.
Maharashtra Had Already Introduced a Shipbuilding and Repair Policy
The upcoming maritime development policy is not the state’s first policy initiative in this area. Rane said Maharashtra had already introduced a dedicated policy covering shipbuilding, ship repair and shipbreaking within the first 100 days of the government’s tenure.
That framework is intended to support businesses involved in constructing vessels, repairing existing ships and recycling or dismantling ships at the end of their operational lives.
The distinction between the two policy initiatives is important. The existing shipbuilding, repair and shipbreaking framework addresses specific industrial activities, while the proposed maritime development policy is expected to provide a broader investment and administrative framework for the sector.
The state is also positioning its port infrastructure as a foundation for maritime manufacturing and logistics. Shipyards require access to navigable waterways, transport links, industrial land, skilled workers and supporting suppliers. Coordinating these requirements will be important to attracting large-scale projects.
India’s Maritime Sector Is Expanding
Maharashtra’s investment plans come amid a broader national effort to increase India’s shipbuilding capacity and strengthen its maritime infrastructure.
According to FICCI President-Elect Vijay Sankar, India’s major ports handled a record 915 million tonnes of cargo during FY2025-26, representing approximately 7% growth. Rising cargo volumes create demand for port infrastructure, shipping capacity, logistics services and vessels.
The Union government has also announced substantial support for the maritime industry. Its shipbuilding and maritime initiatives include financial assistance for domestic shipyards and funding mechanisms intended to improve access to long-term capital.
In August 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways outlined several initiatives:
| National initiative | Announced allocation or objective |
|---|---|
| Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme | ₹24,736 crore |
| Maritime Development Fund | ₹25,000-crore corpus |
| Maritime Investment Fund | ₹20,000 crore component of the fund |
| Interest Incentivization Fund | ₹5,000 crore component of the fund |
| National Shipbuilding Mission | Coordination and oversight of shipbuilding development schemes |
These programmes are intended to address the cost disadvantages faced by Indian shipyards compared with established international shipbuilding markets. They also provide a national policy framework within which state-level projects such as Maharashtra’s proposed shipyard can develop.
Maharashtra Faces Competition From Other Coastal States
Maharashtra is not the only state seeking a larger share of India’s maritime investment. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other coastal states are also pursuing port development, shipbuilding clusters and related industrial projects.
The availability of suitable coastal land, port connectivity, industrial infrastructure, skilled labour and regulatory support can influence where shipbuilding companies choose to invest.
Maharashtra’s proposed policy is therefore part of a wider competition among coastal states to attract private capital and international maritime businesses.
The proposed Dighi shipyard could become an important part of that strategy. However, its progress will depend on land development, environmental approvals, infrastructure connectivity, financing and the ability to attract shipbuilding orders.
International partnerships may also contribute to the sector’s development. At the FICCI conference, the Netherlands was represented as the partner country. Dutch representatives highlighted opportunities under the India-Netherlands Green and Digital Sea Corridor and announced plans for a dedicated Dutch shipbuilding delegation to visit India in February 2027.
The Bigger Picture
Maharashtra’s maritime policy announcement reflects India’s broader effort to build domestic shipbuilding capabilities and reduce dependence on overseas shipyards. A combination of state-level administrative support, central financial assistance and large industrial projects could help create a more integrated maritime manufacturing ecosystem. The proposed ₹26,500-crore Dighi shipyard is a significant part of Maharashtra’s investment plans, with an estimated employment potential of around 50,000 jobs.
However, policy announcements and investment agreements do not automatically translate into operational shipyards. The eventual impact will depend on how quickly projects secure approvals, obtain financing, develop infrastructure and attract orders. Maharashtra’s ability to convert its proposed investor-friendly framework into predictable approvals and completed industrial facilities will be important to its maritime ambitions.
Looking Ahead
The next major development will be the formal notification of Maharashtra’s maritime development policy. Investors and industry participants will be watching for details on incentives, approval timelines, land availability, environmental procedures and the institutions responsible for implementing the framework. Those provisions will help determine how attractive the state becomes for new shipbuilding and port-related investments.
Attention will also remain on the Dighi shipyard project and its implementation milestones. Progress on financing, construction planning, infrastructure development and employment generation will provide a clearer indication of how quickly the ₹26,500-crore proposal can move from an agreement to an operating industrial facility.
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