The Tamil Nadu government has assured full support to HD KSOE (HD Hyundai) as the proposed shipbuilding project in Thoothukudi moves into detailed project preparation. A global business team led by Sunjoon Hong, team lead, conducted a site survey in Thoothukudi from September 1 to 9 and held discussions with Tamil Nadu Ministers and officials. The company confirmed that it is moving ahead with the project.
Thoothukudi Shipyard Project Advances to Detailed Project Preparation#CMJosephVijay | #TNDIPR | @TVKVijayHQ |@imrajmohan | @Keerthana4VNR pic.twitter.com/DRYKUdJk5r
— TN DIPR (@TNDIPRNEWS) September 10, 2026
The delegation met Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Keerthana at the Secretariat on September 9.
Thoothukudi is moving from ambition to action.
Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, the proposed HD Hyundai shipyard has entered detailed project preparation, with the DFR process underway and the DPR process initiated.
HD Hyundai… pic.twitter.com/8Iz9BKycGe
— Virudhai Magal Keerthana (@Keerthana4VNR) September 10, 2026
In a release dated September 10, the Tamil Nadu Industries Department said the proposed HD KSOE/HD Hyundai shipyard at Thoothukudi was progressing into detailed project preparation. The state government had earlier signed an MoU with HD KSOE for its first shipyard in India.
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority issued a work order in the first week of September to prepare the Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) in consultation with HD KSOE, and inception work has begun at the proposed shipyard site.
In parallel, an RFP has been floated to appoint global consultants to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), covering the shipyard and the broader maritime manufacturing ecosystem.
Tamil Nadu state government has also issued a government order to transfer around 1,700 acres in the first phase to SIPCOT. SIPCOT and the VOC Port Authority will build the common infrastructure.
Thoothukudi shipyard is moving from paper to real work.
Tamil Nadu and Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai signed an MoU earlier. The project has now entered detailed planning.
A work order has been issued for a detailed feasibility study at the Thoothukudi site. A global tender has… pic.twitter.com/o0ArdMtLJu
— Muthukrishnan Dhandapani (@dmuthuk) September 10, 2026
The TVK government said it had been advancing land, technical studies, infrastructure, environmental clearances, Central government coordination, supplier localisation and skilled manpower development for the project.
The release said the first week of September marked a major step forward on the technical front, with the VOC Port Authority issuing the work order for the DFR and inception work beginning at the proposed shipyard site.
The government said engagement between HD KSOE/HD Hyundai and Tamil Nadu had continued at the highest levels. The Industries Minister visited HD Hyundai’s Ulsan Shipyard in June 2026, while a senior HD KSOE/HD Hyundai delegation met the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on June 17.
A continuous weekly consultation mechanism with HD KSOE is also in place, bringing together Guidance Tamil Nadu, SIPCOT, the VOC Port Authority and other stakeholders to track land, technical studies, infrastructure, approvals, localisation and other immediate project requirements.
During the September 9 meeting at the Secretariat, HD KSOE officials assured the Industries Minister that they were moving ahead with the Thoothukudi project and expressed gratitude for the support and assistance extended by the Tamil Nadu government.
Guidance Tamil Nadu is also facilitating discussions between HD KSOE and major Indian steel producers on technical requirements and quality validation. A dedicated talent pipeline is being developed with the Tamil Nadu State Skill Development Mission for blue-collar and white-collar roles, including the possibility of training in Korea before deployment at the Thoothukudi shipyard.
With the objective of establishing Thoothukudi as a global shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing hub, the Government of Tamil Nadu is working closely with HD KSOE, the Government of India and all stakeholders.
The shipyard is expected to anchor a wider industrial ecosystem in Southern Tamil Nadu, bringing investment, technology transfer, skilled employment, supplier development, localisation and integration into global shipbuilding value chains to the region.
