Cochin Shipyard Limited plans to build shipyard in Vizhinjam
Aiming at major expansion, the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the state government to set up a shiprepair complex/shipyard near the proposed Vizhinjam international container transshipment port under a joint venture.
As per the EoI, around 150 to 200 acres of land with a water-front length of 1.5 km to 2 km with connectivity to the shipping channel is required for the project. The expected initial investment for the project is around Rs 1,000 crore, excluding the cost of land.
“We have submitted the Expression of Interest. It is up to the state government to take the next step on the proposal,” said a top official of the Cochin Shipyard. It is learnt that the CSL is in the process of preparing a detailed project and it will be submitted to the state government soon. Once completed, the project will provide direct employment to 1,000 people and indirect employment to 5,000.
The CSL prefers Vizhinjam for the shipyard/ship-repair-yard because of its proximity to the international port with a natural draft of about 12 m.
Besides, the proposed site has a waterfront of 2.5 km in length and about 800-1,000 acres could be made available, of which a part will be through land acquisition and the rest by reclamation.
Vizhinjam is situated about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Ports Minister M Vijayakumar said that the State Government had received the EoI from the CSL. “It’s a possible and viable proposal considering the potential of the proposed Vizhinjam transshipment port. The government is looking into the EoI and possible steps would be taken in this regard,’’ Vijayakumar said.
The State Government had earlier submitted a proposal to the Centre, proposing Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram district on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border as the possible location for setting up an international shipyard on the western coast. The proposed shipyard/ ship-repair complex will have worldclass facility and is expected to give impetus to the country’s attempts to emerge as a major ship-building/repair hub in the region.
As per the EoI, around 150 to 200 acres of land with a water-front length of 1.5 km to 2 km with connectivity to the shipping channel is required for the project. The expected initial investment for the project is around Rs 1,000 crore, excluding the cost of land.
“We have submitted the Expression of Interest. It is up to the state government to take the next step on the proposal,” said a top official of the Cochin Shipyard. It is learnt that the CSL is in the process of preparing a detailed project and it will be submitted to the state government soon. Once completed, the project will provide direct employment to 1,000 people and indirect employment to 5,000.
The CSL prefers Vizhinjam for the shipyard/ship-repair-yard because of its proximity to the international port with a natural draft of about 12 m.
Besides, the proposed site has a waterfront of 2.5 km in length and about 800-1,000 acres could be made available, of which a part will be through land acquisition and the rest by reclamation.
Vizhinjam is situated about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Ports Minister M Vijayakumar said that the State Government had received the EoI from the CSL. “It’s a possible and viable proposal considering the potential of the proposed Vizhinjam transshipment port. The government is looking into the EoI and possible steps would be taken in this regard,’’ Vijayakumar said.
The State Government had earlier submitted a proposal to the Centre, proposing Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram district on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border as the possible location for setting up an international shipyard on the western coast. The proposed shipyard/ ship-repair complex will have worldclass facility and is expected to give impetus to the country’s attempts to emerge as a major ship-building/repair hub in the region.