New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- India is working on an ambitious plan to provide assured demand for ships built in the country from various state-owned entities and departments as it looks to incentivise investments in creating large shipbuilding facilities in the country.

As part of the playbook, the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) has asked the ministries of steel, chemicals and fertilisers, petroleum, coal, mines, commerce and textile to work on a plan for ship ownership by their respective state-run firms; and also giving preference to Indian-owned and Indian-built ships in all their cargo movements.

According to two people aware of the development, assured business for ships and cargo would be prime movers for attracting in...