Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three major projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in Kochi on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, with a vision to transform India’s ports, shipping and waterways sectors. The projects include the New Dry Dock (NDD) and the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and the LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
New Dry Dock
The NDD, built at a cost of Rs 1,799 crore at the existing premises of CSL, is a flagship project reflecting India’s engineering prowess and project management capabilities. It is one of the largest marine infrastructures in the region, with a length of 310 metres, a width of 75/60 metres, a depth of 13 metres and a draught of up to 9.5 metres. The NDD features heavy ground loading and will position India with advanced capabilities to handle strategic assets like future aircraft carriers up to 70,000T displacement as well as large commercial vessels including Capesize & Suezmax vessels, Jack-up rigs, LNG vessels etc. The NDD is expected to play a significant role in skill development, generate direct employment for around 2000 individuals with a multiplier effect of 5~6x, and facilitate the growth of ancillary industries and MSMEs.
International Ship Repair Facility
The ISRF, set up on 42 acres of leased premises of the Cochin Port Authority at Willingdon Island, Kochi, is a unique facility of its own having a ship lift system with a capacity of 6000T, transfer system, six work stations and berth of approximately 1,400 metres which can accommodate seven vessels of 130-metre length simultaneously. The ISRF project was built at a cost of Rs 970 crore and is India’s first fully developed pure ship repair ecosystem. The ISRF will strengthen India’s position of eminence in the global maritime space and enhance its ship repair and shipbuilding capabilities.
LPG Import Terminal
The LPG Import Terminal, established by IOCL at a cost of Rs 1,231 crore at Puthuvypeen SEZ in Kochi, will significantly enhance India’s energy infrastructure by ensuring a steady supply of LPG, benefiting millions of households and businesses in and around the region. The terminal has a capacity to handle six lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of LPG and can store up to three pressure bullets with a total capacity of 4.15 lakh tonnes. The terminal is connected to IOCL’s Kochi Refinery through an underground pipeline for evacuation of propane and butane.
The Prime Minister hailed these projects as milestones in India’s quest for self-reliance and sustainable development. He also envisioned Kochi as a future hub for shipbuilding and maritime activities in the country.