Thoothukudi’s proposed shipbuilding site has moved into the detailed project planning stage after South Korean company HD Hyundai confirmed that it intends to proceed with the project in Tamil Nadu, according to a report by Dinamalar. The proposed facility is planned near VOC Port in Thoothukudi district and involves an investment of Rs 18,000 crore.
The confirmation was given during discussions between a senior HD Hyundai group and a Tamil Nadu government team led by Industries Minister Keerthana, the report said. The company’s representatives indicated that the project would be taken forward in Tamil Nadu, following continuing efforts by state officials to retain the investment after a change in the state government earlier this year.
Tamil Nadu and HD Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding for the shipbuilding facility in 2025. The company’s HD KSOE division is involved in shipbuilding and marine-sector activities. The proposed facility is expected to be located close to VOC Port, linking the project to the district’s existing port infrastructure and maritime activity.
A senior delegation led by Sungjun Hong of HD Hyundai KSOE had stayed in Thoothukudi for about a week from September 1, visiting and examining potential sites, according to the report. The delegation later held discussions at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat in Chennai with Minister Keerthana, Industries Secretary Vijayakumar and other officials.
In a statement cited by Dinamalar, the minister said the project had moved from a long-standing aspiration for Thoothukudi towards implementation. She said preliminary studies and detailed project work were under way and that HD Hyundai was proceeding with confidence on what the statement described as a priority project for the company.
The reported confirmation follows attempts by the Andhra Pradesh government to attract the investment after the change in Tamil Nadu’s government. Tamil Nadu officials continued discussions with the company as part of efforts to keep the proposed facility in the state. The report does not specify the final site, construction start date, production capacity, employment projections or the approvals still required before implementation.
The announcement comes as VOC Port reports higher cargo-handling activity. The port handled 2.17 lakh tonnes of cargo in a single day, setting a new record, according to the report. Its previous daily high was 2,16,631 tonnes recorded in February. Port chairman Sushant Kumar Purohit said the port handled 35.35 lakh tonnes of cargo during August of the current financial year. The next formal milestones for the shipbuilding project are expected to include completion of the technical and detailed project reports and further project-level approvals.
