A month after the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government came to power on May 10, Industries and Investment Promotion Minister Keerthana recently made her first official overseas visit to South Korea.
During the visit, she toured the Ulsan shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, where she observed the shipbuilding facilities, advanced production systems and discussed potential areas of cooperation.
In a post on X, Keerthana said, “The proposed Thoothukudi Greenfield Shipyard is one of the earliest outcomes of the India–Republic of Korea maritime cooperation framework and reflects the growing partnership between the two countries in the maritime sector.”
She said the project is planned as a mega greenfield shipyard capable of supporting large commercial vessels and strengthening India’s shipbuilding capacity.
The Minister said the proposed shipbuilding cluster in Thoothukudi, with HD Hyundai as an anchor player, would be an important step in advancing India’s shipbuilding ambitions and Tamil Nadu’s maritime growth. She added that HD Hyundai’s experience in developing and operating world-class shipyards and building large commercial vessels would help Tamil Nadu create a competitive shipbuilding ecosystem.
According to her, the project has the potential to generate large-scale employment, attract global suppliers, strengthen domestic shipbuilding, create opportunities for MSMEs and ancillary industries, and position Tamil Nadu as a key contributor to India’s maritime and Blue Economy goals.
Further, Keerthana said Tamil Nadu, with its long coastline and strong maritime tradition, is well placed to become a leader in the Blue Economy and a major hub for shipbuilding and maritime industries.
She said Thoothukudi, with its port-based location and industrial infrastructure, offers a strong foundation for developing a new maritime manufacturing cluster.
The Minister added that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the Tamil Nadu government is committed to supporting such projects through a stable, transparent and investor-friendly business environment.
