India’s government announced an India fleet expansion plan on 29 April 2026, targeting the addition of 62 vessels during the 2026–27 financial year through a proposed investment of ₹51,383 crore (approximately $5.4 billion).
The programme aims to add 2.85 million gross tonnage (GT) to the country’s shipping capacity, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The announcement followed an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to assess disruptions affecting maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
During the meeting, Sonowal called for an expansion of the Indian merchant fleet, particularly in vessel segments needed to support domestic trade and energy supplies.
The government identified containerships, crude oil tankers, LPG carriers, green tugs and dredging vessels as priorities for additional capacity. The minister also reviewed cargo movements, vessel operations and the readiness of India’s maritime transport system.
The proposed 62-vessel programme is intended to increase India’s shipping capacity during the current financial year, which runs from April 2026 to March 2027.
However, the ministry did not disclose a breakdown of the planned vessels by type, individual procurement schedules or the shipyards expected to undertake construction.
The meeting also examined a ship acquisition initiative involving Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and state-owned oil companies. The joint venture is pursuing the acquisition of 59 vessels.
While the SCI initiative was discussed alongside the wider fleet expansion programme, the ministry did not specify how the two plans relate to each other or whether their vessel numbers overlap.
Sonowal also stated that SCI was equipped to build specialised vessels for ammonia transportation. The announcement did not identify specific ammonia carrier orders, construction contracts or delivery schedules.
Beyond fleet acquisition, the minister called for coordinated measures to expand India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity, strengthen port infrastructure and address gaps across the maritime sector.
He directed the participating departments to prepare an actionable white paper setting out existing capacity constraints, development targets and a time-bound implementation roadmap.
The exercise is to involve the ministries responsible for petroleum and natural gas, chemicals and fertilisers, and commerce and industry, alongside maritime and trade authorities.
The minister also instructed the relevant agencies to maintain increased vigilance in sensitive maritime areas to safeguard Indian seafarers.
The government’s announcement establishes fleet expansion and maritime infrastructure development priorities, although the proposed investment and vessel additions remain targets rather than confirmed shipbuilding contracts or completed acquisitions.
