Firms in race for Rs800 cr CPT shipyard project

[1]

Several firms are lining up in the race for setting up the Rs800-crore ship-building-cum-repair facility under the Cochin Port Trust, bids for which are closing on August 22.

From Cochin Shipyard Ltd to Bahrain-based Sultan Marine Inter-national which caters to a fleet of US vessels, several companies have already evinced interest in the project, and are visiting the existing ship repair facility, according to port trust chairman Paul Antony. Some were even in talks with players abroad to partner in the project.

Seven major players had participated in the expression of interest earlier, and based on their views, the tender was invited.

A detailed project report was prepared by KITCO to develop its present ship repair yard to a state-of-the-art maintenance repair and overhaul yard, with facility for ship-building.

On employing staff now at the facility which was a bone of contention even for CSL earlier, Antony said changes had been made and the number of workers to be taken by the new venture brought down to 230 from the earlier 311.

The present underutilised workshop complex, including the dry dock and slipway, would be given for the new facility for 30 years. Besides, the workshop complex, including buildings, machinery and equipment and about 17 hectares of land area with a 850 meter water front and 15 hectares of adjoining water area would be leased out to the developer.