Gujarat-based Pipavav Shipyard today said it plans over four-fold increase in its workforce from the current 1,800 people over the next three years to sustain the company's growth momentum.

"The shipyard, which is brand new, already employs 1,800 qualified people and this number, as per plans, is expected to increase to over 8,500 in the next three years," the company official said in a statement here.

The firm, which is engaged in shipbuilding, ship repair and offshore fabrication, has started commercial operations of its shipyard at Pipavav town in Gujarat a year ago.

After the completion of the construction of the shipyard at Pipavav, the company said it would be able to construct and repair ships and vessels of various sizes and construction of products like offshore rigs, jackets and vessels for oil and gas companies.

The official said the company's shipyard facility match the prowess of similar infrastructural configurations found in Korea, Japan and even those in some developed countries.