Cochin Shipyard leads race for CPT''s ship repair yard project

Jays Jacob
04 August 2003

Only a few companies, besides CSL, had responded to the expression of interest floated by CPT for the project estimated to cost Rs 600 crore. Consequently, CPT has now extended the deadline for the expression of interest, which expired last week, by one more month.

According to CPT sources, ABG Shipbuilders of Surat and a Korean company are the other major firms that have shown interest in the project that will come up on a 40-hectare land. There have been enquiries from several companies without any further follow-up.

A high-level team from Korea, led by Park Chan Dong of the Sigma group, had held talks on the project with CPT last year. But their interest has been lukewarm after that. Meanwhile, the active interest shown by CSL could alter the scope of the proposal as conceived initially by CPT, it is learnt.

CPT had planned the repair facility for medium vessels but CSL has asked the port to explore the possibility of repairing very large crude carriers (VLCC), something which is not possible at the shipyard because of lack of sufficient depth at the waterfront.

VLCCs require at least 1-km waterfront and a greater draft. CPT sources feel a longer quay length is possible at Puthuvype. Usually, VLCCs require a higher depth of 16 metres or more with freight but as empty vessels will only be coming for repair the yard could manage with lesser depth.

CPT had conceived the repair yard idea in the form of a ''highway repair'' for the ships passing by, as the Kochi port is located close to the international route. Through the project, CPT was hoping for the development of the port-based special economic zone in the Puthuvype-Vallarpadam area.