 Kochi:
Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has emerged as the major contender
for the proposed ship repair yard of the Cochin Port Trust
(CPT) at Puthuvype near here.
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.
In
any case, CPT has asked CSL to submit a detailed project
report if it wishes to expand the scope of the repair
yard. The project will consider synchro-lift system instead
of dry-dock facilities to avoid any delay in the repair
of vessels.
After
receiving the expressions of interest, CPT will prepare
a feasibility study and float a tender. The project could
be under a BOT basis. But if CSL becomes the successful
bidder, then the plan could change. On its part, CSL will
be submitting a project report, according to a spokesperson.
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