Cochin Shipyard lays keel for 2 more vessels

The keels for two platform supply vessels under construction for Norwegian owners were laid at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. This takes the total number of ships currently under construction at the shipyard to 17.

Mr A.P.V.N. Sarma, Secretary in the Shipping Ministry, visited the shipyard and was apprised of its capabilities, its future visions and outlook, a press release from the Shipyard said.

Cochin Shipyard is at present constructing India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. The company is also aiming to create additional facilities to concurrently construct small commercial ships for export along with the aircraft carrier.

In this respect, the yard has also received the approval of the Union Government to set up a separate small ship division which is expected to be completed by March 9. At present, the yard has orders for small ships worth Rs 2500 crore, all of which are for exports.

For the year 2007-08, Cochin Shipyard is expecting a 15-20 per cent growth in revenue mainly through its shipbuilding activities. While the shipyard delivered several ships this year, ship repair, the yard’s other main activity has also shown robust growth in recent years.

The performance for 2007-08 is expected to top the net profit of Rs 58 crore on a total income of Rs 845 crore achieved during 2006-07, the release said.

Vallarpadam terminal

PTI adds: Mr Sarma has urged the Kerala Government to complete land acquisition for rail-raod connectivity for the Rs 2,000-crore International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam by May 31.

Mr Sarma held a meeting to review the progress of land acquisition proceedings. The Cochin Port Trust Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, the Ernakulam District Collector, Dr M. Beena, the Project Director of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd were among those present at the meeting.

While 97 per cent of the land acquisition for road connectivity was complete, only 75 per cent land acquisition for rail connectivity has been completed so far, government sources said.

Source:thehindubusinessline