Kochi, July 5, 2025 – In a significant boost to India’s maritime sector, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd. (KSOE). The agreement, signed today in Kochi, lays the groundwork for strategic cooperation in shipbuilding, technology transfer, and workforce development.
KSOE is globally recognized for its shipbuilding excellence, managing renowned shipyards like Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. With this MoU, CSL stands to benefit from KSOE’s advanced shipbuilding techniques and global project experience.
CSL, a top shipbuilder in India, has delivered 47 advanced vessels to international clients in Norway, the Netherlands, the USA, and the UAE. It also built India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1).
Key Areas of Collaboration
- Joint exploration of newbuilding opportunities in India and abroad
- Sharing of technical expertise to meet global shipbuilding standards
- Initiatives to boost productivity and optimize shipyard capacity
- Joint training and upskilling of technical workforce
- Exploration of joint ventures in offshore and green ship technologies
Aligned with India’s Maritime Vision
This MoU supports the Indian government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’. These blueprints aim to turn India into a global maritime hub through investments in infrastructure, technology, and skilled manpower.
The government recently announced a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund to push modernization, innovation, and global collaborations in the sector.
Why This Partnership Matters
This collaboration will allow CSL to access cutting-edge ship design and production systems, helping the company transition into high-value shipbuilding segments such as green energy vessels and naval platforms.
It will also strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem, drive job creation, and improve export competitiveness.
Conclusion
The CSL-KSOE MoU marks a major milestone in India’s maritime growth journey. It blends global expertise with local ambition, aligning well with national goals of self-reliance, sustainability, and maritime supremacy.
With Korea’s experience and India’s growing capacity, this partnership promises to reshape the future of shipbuilding in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.