In a significant development for the Indian shipbuilding industry, a US Navy replenishment ship, USNS Matthew Perry, has arrived at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Kattupalli shipyard for repairs. This marks the second time that a US Navy vessel has docked at the Indian shipyard, following a dry cargo ship last year. The Navy Chief has hailed the increased use of Indian shipyards by friendly foreign countries, and highlighted the opportunity to go up the value chain to undertake major repairs and refit, positioning India as a hub in the region. The development comes after India and the US agreed to explore utilising Indian shipyards for repair and maintenance of US ships. This move will contribute to the Indian shipbuilding industry’s growth, which has already been acknowledged for its ability to generate employment and stimulate the domestic economy.