Who builds the ships that transport goods across the sea? India's largest shipbuilding company is in government hands.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Sea-borne trade has been affected due to the current devastation in the Middle East. All ships from West Asia that used to travel through the Strait of Hormuz are currently stranded. Iran has imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, the shares of large shipping companies have also seen a sharp decline.

India's largest shipbuilding company is controlled by the government, and its shares are also experiencing a sharp decline. Let's learn about some of India's shipbuilding companies.

Which is the largest shipbuilding company in India?

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is considered India's premier and largest defense shipyard. It specializes in the construction of submarines and warships. While it has the highest market capitalization among Indian shipbuilders, Cochin Shipyard also holds the record for the largest shipbuilding capacity by volume.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited currently has a market cap of ₹94,302.18 crore (approximately $1.9 billion). It is India's largest shipping company. This is based on current market prices, which are subject to change.

Today, March 13, 2026, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) shares opened at ₹2,434.00 and fell to a low of ₹2,333.50 by 2 p.m. At 2 p.m., the stock fell ₹108 to trade at ₹2,335.30.

Top 5 Ship Building Companies in India

China's dominance globally

Ocean-going cargo ships are primarily built by large shipbuilding companies, with China and South Korea leading the global production (with China's share expected to exceed 57% in 2024). Major builders include China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Imabari Shipbuilding, which build container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers.

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