The Cochin Shipyard (CSL) has launched five vessels at one go from its building dock at Kochi and also laid the keel for two vessels. The vessels launched are two 8,000 DWT Mini General Cargo Ships for JSW Shipping & Logistics and three Floating Border Outpost Vessels (FBOP) for the Indian Border Security Force. Keel laying was carried out for two more 8,000 DWT Mini General Cargo Ships for JSW Shipping & Logistics. The Mini General Cargo Ships are part of a series of four similar ships being built for the JSW group. These ships will be used for transportation of dry bulk cargo such as coal, iron ore, dolomite and limestone. These ships are expected to ply on the coastal route between Jaigarh Port and Dolvi Steel Plant in river Amba near Dharamtar Port. This programme, once implemented, will trigger one of the largest inland water transport cargo movements in India, which is in line with the Government of India’s vision for development of the National Waterways.
CSL is expanding geographically and has commenced ship repair units at Mumbai, Kolkata and Port Blair in addition to its Kochi facilities. The yard is also setting up wholly-owned subsidiary shipyards at Kolkata and at Malpe, Karnataka to cater to the construction of small and medium vessels as well as inland water vessels. CSL is also augmenting its infrastructure in Kochi and currently investing around Rs 2,800 crore in the construction of a new 310 m long dry dock and a ship lift based Ship Repair Yard at Willingdon Island.