Representing a significant investment of Rs 2,800 crore, these infrastructure developments are in line with the Sagarmala and Maritime India Vision 2030 initiatives, as stated by Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director.
These investments, coupled with Cochin Shipyard's (CSL) existing capabilities, position Kochi as a prominent 'Global Maritime Hub.' The strategically valuable dry dock, with a dual purpose and a cost of Rs 1,799 crore, is capable of both ship construction and repairs.
It can accommodate a range of vessels, including large LNG carriers, Capesize and Suezmax vessels, oil rigs, semi-subs, and other substantial maritime assets.
The ISRF, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,001 crore, significantly expands the nation's ship repair capacity by around 25%, particularly for ships up to 130 meters.
It reinforces India's standing as a major ship repair center in this part of the world and capitalizes on Kochi's proximity to the international sea route connecting South-East Asia to West Asia.
Madhu S. Nair highlighted that the ISRF aligns with the Prime Minister's vision to establish ship repair clusters, with the 'Kochi Cluster' anticipated to catalyze substantial ship repair activities and ancillary services on an international scale, akin to renowned clusters in Dubai and Singapore.
In the coming weeks, Cochin Shipyard plans to install a new 600-tonne Goliath gantry crane, surpassing the capacity of the existing orange gantry cranes, further enhancing the yard's capabilities.