HD Hyundai moves ahead with shipyard project in Thoothukudi, project advances to DPR stage

A senior delegation from HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), Hyundai’s shipbuilding arm led by Sunjoon Hong, carried out a detailed site survey at Thoothukudi on Thursday.

The team also held discussions with Minister for Industries S. Keerthana, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) S. Vijayakumar, senior officials of the Directorate General of Shipping, and officials from Guidance Tamil Nadu, SIPCOT, V.O.C. Port Authority, and Thoothukudi district administration.

The team met the Industries Minister on September 9, and assured her that they were moving ahead with the project in Thoothukudi. On September 10, the team met senior officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to discuss the policy-level support required from the Government of India to take the project forward.

The Government Order for the transfer of around 1700 acres for the first phase has been given to SIPCOT by the Government of Tamil Nadu, who will be building the common infrastructure along with V.O.C. Port Authority.

The V.O.C. Port Authority has issued the work order for the Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) in consultation with HD KSOE, and inception work has begun at the proposed shipyard site. In parallel, a Request for Proposal has been floated, inviting global consultants to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), bringing international expertise into the planning of the shipyard and the wider maritime manufacturing ecosystem.

According to an official release, Tamil Nadu is building the wider industrial ecosystem around the shipyard. Guidance Tamil Nadu is facilitating discussions between HD KSOE and major Indian steel producers on technical requirements and quality validation.

A dedicated talent pipeline is also being developed in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu State Skill Development Mission, covering both blue collar and white collar roles. This includes the possibility of training in Korea, followed by deployment at the Thoothukudi shipyard.

Ms. Keerthana visited HD Hyundai’s Ulsan Shipyard in June, and a senior HD KSOE/HD Hyundai delegation met Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on June 17.