Rs 10,000 crore and a new shipyard: Kerala’s maritime push lands a Tata partner

Kerala’s government has put a number on its maritime ambitions: Rs 10,000 crore in investment potential that it hopes to draw to the state over the coming years, starting with a new shipbuilding joint venture at Cochin Port.

The venture pairs Malabar Cements Ltd with Artson Engineering Limited, a company under the Tata Projects Group, to set up the shipbuilding unit. A government statement said all major approvals required for the project have already been secured.

“Cochin Port Authority has made the necessary land available and has begun preliminary development work,” the statement said, calling the project a major step toward creating a modern shipbuilding ecosystem in Kerala.

The shipbuilding unit forms part of Mission Samudra, an integrated maritime development strategy covering Vizhinjam International Seaport, Cochin Port and Cochin Shipyard, and spanning shipbuilding, ship repair, offshore fabrication, marine engineering, coastal manufacturing, logistics and maritime services.

The government said discussions are currently under way with several domestic and international investors, and that it remains committed to building an investment-friendly, globally competitive maritime manufacturing ecosystem in the state, with official announcements to follow as each proposal is finalised.

Wikimedia Commons/by Ranjithsiji