Trivandrum Shipyard Poovar
The Trivandrum Shipyard Poovar
is a proposed deep-water shipbuilding and repair facility for ultra-large vessels at Poovar in Trivandrum, Kerala. The site is located away from the Suez to Singapore far east international shipping route, in very close proximity to key global maritime traffic. The site was identified as a potential location for a shipyard in 2008 when the central government evaluated coastal regions for shipbuilding infrastructure. Poovar met all the necessary conditions, including proximity to major transport hubs, and was ranked second in the assessment. The available depth in Poovar eliminates the need for dredging
In 2013, Cochin Shipyard Limited identified Poovar as a suitable location for shipbuilding and ship repair due to its strategic position and favorable conditions, conducting a feasibility study to assess its potential. In 2024, the central government initiated efforts to develop shipbuilding yards across the country including kerala. In response, the Kerala government proposed establishing a shipyard at Poovar in 2025.
The proposed shipyard is for large-scale shipbuilding and repair, with deep-water access that allows for the construction and maintenance of vessels, including Ultra Large Container Ships, Ultra Large Crude Carriers, Very Large Crude Carriers, Mega Cruise Ships and offshore platforms. The project is strategically located near Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram, from Trivandrum International Airport, from NH-66, from the nearest railway station and from an international shipping route. With its advantageous position, the facility could support India's growing maritime industry by reducing dependence on foreign shipyards and creating employment opportunities. The development is expected to be structured under a public-private partnership model, drawing both domestic and international investment to establish.
In the Kerala Budget 2025–26, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced plans to establish a new shipyard in Poovar, along with the central government for its development.
Depth requirements for shipyard
Poovar has a depth more than, which eliminates the need for extensive dredging and makes the site suitable for developing a shipyard capable of handling ultra-large vessels. The existing depth is sufficient to accommodate ULCVs, ULCCs, VLCCs, and mega cruise ships.| Vessel type | Light ship draft | Fully loaded draft | Dry dock depth | Dry dock channel depth |
| ULCV | 8–12 | 14–16 | 15–18 | 16–18 |
| ULCC | 10–15 | 20–25 | 15–22 | 25–30 |
| VLCC | 9–12 | 18–22 | 14–20 | 22–25 |
| Mega cruise ship | 8–10 | 9–11 | 14–18 | 10–12 |
ULCVs, with a light ship draft of, require a dry dock depth of and a port channel depth of, both of which are supported by the site's natural depth. ULCCs, with a light ship draft of, require a dry dock depth of and a port channel depth of, aligning with the location's natural advantages. The deep-water access also supports VLCCs and mega cruise ships, which require significant depths for dry docking and channel navigation. Additionally, the natural depth facilitates ballasting operations, essential for stabilizing vessels after launching. By leveraging these inherent features, such as natural depth exceeding 20 meters, is planned to be developed as a facility capable of accommodating the increasing dimensions and drafts of modern ultra-large vessels.