Guwahati: Assam is set to enter the shipbuilding sector with its first shipyard to build ships coming up at Dharapur, near Guwahati airport. Assam Inland Waterways Company Ltd (AIWCL) and Bharat A to Z Pvt Ltd (BAZ) have joined hands to form Assam Shipyard Pvt Ltd (ASPL).The shipyard will be developed on 10.33 acres of AIWCL-leased land under a 90-year lease and is expected to begin shipbuilding in Jan 2027. ASPL plans to build 40 barges over the next five years, officials said.AIWCL and BAZ signed an agreement on Tuesday to form ASPL. The project has been approved by the state cabinet. ASPL will operate as a special-purpose vehicle for developing the shipyard.With an initial investment of Rs 75 crore, the project will form part of the broader Rs 475-crore investment proposed by BAZ. A govt release said environmental experts would assess the wildlife and vegetation around the site, including dolphins, reptiles and bamboo, before development begins.The facility is also planned to use sustainable energy sources, including solar power and hydrogen.Officials said the facility would be developed as an AI-enabled shipyard, with skilled manpower driving its operations. While a limited number of specialists will initially be brought in from outside Assam, officials said they would train local personnel before gradually handing over operations to them.ASPL will undertake the design, manufacture, assembly and commissioning of ships, barges and vessel structures. Its activities will also include the construction of floating and marine structures, including terminals, boats and jetties.The company will undertake ship repair, overhauling, servicing and maintenance. It will also carry out work related to establishing and maintaining the shipyard, including dry docking, marine works, slipways and floating docks.AIWCL managing director Sraranga Pani Sarma said the joint venture would strengthen inland water transport, particularly cargo movement and tourism, while improving connectivity between National Waterway-16 and National Waterway-2.“Assam has already marked a new beginning in cargo transportation after 70 years with the flagging off of a cargo voyage carrying 540 MT of methanol from the Bogibeel terminal in Dibrugarh under IWAI on Oct 5. This partnership will multiply the economic growth that waterways can bring to the state by translating the vision of Advantage Assam 2.0 into concrete steps towards industrial growth and investment,” he said.BAZ director Sohel Kazani said the construction of container vessels would be the first priority, with the project aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving the movement of goods between Kolkata and the northeast.“Kolkata is currently the main transshipment hub for the region, and more efficient river logistics are expected to accelerate industrialisation across Assam. The shipyard will also help established maritime operators upgrade, repair and retrofit their vessels at an economical cost, supporting the maritime industry, which holds huge potential for economic growth in Assam,” he said.The shipyard will also explore ship recycling, allowing owners of old vessels to move towards new shipbuilding, supported by govt’s provision of around 40% credit on the value of old ships.ASPL also plans to build specialised boats for security, passenger and tourism purposes, besides exploring concrete floating jetties and landing craft for short-sea and island movements.“This is about building the entire maritime ecosystem for the northeast, from suppliers and skilled people to modern shipbuilding, while protecting the river and the life around it. Given the eco-sensitive riverine setting and the region’s rich aquatic biodiversity, including dolphins, environmental protection has been built into the project from day one,” he added.
