Challenges and Capabilities of Indian Shipbuilding and Maintenance Ecosystem in India: An Empirical Assessment

Abstract

India’s share in the global ship building and repair ecosystem is nearly 1 to 2 % only. Besides being the fastest growing economy in the world and having a long coastline, the percent share of its shipbuilding capacity is not aligned with its economic development and projected market growth. There are many challenges and barriers that the country needs to address in its present shipyard ecosystem. The present study aimed to bring out challenges, strengths and weakness of the shipbuilding sector of India. The present study used a quantitative descriptive research design and a purposive sampling method to collect the primary data from 246 participants of the industry belonging to various functional roles. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess various dimensions of Indian shipbuilding industry. Descriptive method of frequency and percentages was used to analyze the data. The chi-square goodness of fit test was used to test the hypotheses and examine the discrepancies between observed and expected frequencies on each item of the tool. Based on the study results, recommendations are proposed that may serve as corrective measures and support shipbuilding programs way ahead. The study aligns with initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India by offering recommendations on shipyards’ project planning, execution, and maintenance. Overall, the study contributes to the academic literature and the modernization of India’s shipbuilding industry for future research.