Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. C. Joseph Vijay met a high-level delegation from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) at the Secretariat on 17 June 2026.

The delegation was led by Mr. Young Hoon Kwon, Director of the company’s Global Business Division.

HD Hyundai, headquartered in South Korea, is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding companies. The company has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility in Thoothukudi.

During the meeting, senior company officials discussed the implementation status and progress of the mega project with the Chief Minister.

Key Highlights are

Investment: Approximately ₹38,000 crore.
Location: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

Direct Employment: Around 15,000 jobs.

Additional Benefits: Significant indirect employment opportunities through ancillary industries and the local supply chain, boosting the state’s economy.

Special Purpose Company EstablishedTo facilitate the project, National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park Tamil Nadu Limited (NSHIPTN) has been formed jointly by:

SIPCOT,
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA)

The company has also obtained in-principle approval from the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India, for establishing the shipbuilding complex.

During the meeting, HD Hyundai officials presented the latest progress of the project and reiterated the company’s strong commitment to implementing the shipbuilding facility in Thoothukudi.

Chief Minister Mr C. Joseph Vijay assured the company that the Tamil Nadu Government would:

Extend all necessary support to ensure speedy implementation of the project.

Provide full administrative assistance at every stage.

Coordinate closely with all concerned departments to facilitate smooth execution.

He described the project as one of great importance for Tamil Nadu’s industrial growth and economic development.

Company representatives stated that they would make every effort to commence the shipbuilding yard at the earliest.