The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has officially notified Deendayal, Jawaharlal Nehru, Paradip, and Mundra as mega ports under the Indian Ports Act 2025, enforcing strict infrastructural criteria to enhance global trade competitiveness. Concurrently, Tamil Nadu is advancing a mega greenfield shipyard project in Thoothukudi with an investment of ₹38,000 crore and a planned annual capacity of 2.5 million gross tonnage. Promoted through a tripartite MoU involving HD KSOE, NSHIP-TN, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation, the project aims to transform the region into a major manufacturing hub similar to South Korea’s Ulsan. Over 1,700 acres of land have been identified for the first phase, and global consultants are being engaged for the detailed project report. The state government has initiated comprehensive enumeration and rehabilitation plans for affected salt-pan workers and local fishermen, offering housing and vocational training. Once operational, the shipyard is expected to generate 15,000 direct jobs while boosting ancillary industries like steel fabrication and electrical systems.