Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has initiated a fresh effort to establish a new shipbuilding and repair yard in the state, with a focus on potential sites in northern Kerala. Following a letter from the central government, the state has tasked the Kerala Maritime Board with identifying a suitable land parcel of 2,500-3,000 acres for the major project.
The move is spurred by a recent ₹69,725 crore package announced by the Union Cabinet to revitalize India’s shipbuilding and maritime sector. A significant portion of this package, around ₹20,000 crore, is earmarked to enhance the nation’s shipbuilding capacity. Kerala is hopeful of receiving financial assistance from this fund for the proposed shipyard.
A joint meeting of the Chief Minister and the Fisheries Minister directed the Kerala Maritime Board to explore the feasibility of acquiring the large tract of land required for the facility. While the central government has suggested locating the new yard near a major port, the availability of such a large, contiguous plot near Vizhinjam is considered unlikely. With Cochin Shipyard already operating in Kochi, the state government is now looking towards the northern districts for potential locations.
The government had previously sought input from Cochin Shipyard and the Adani Group, operators of the Vizhinjam port, about their interest in developing a new yard, but both institutions indicated they had no immediate plans. This prompted the state to pursue the project as its own initiative.
The proposed shipyard is envisioned to handle not just large vessels but also the construction of barges, dredgers, and even mini-cruises. Currently, many agencies in Kerala, including the Cochin Corporation, rely on shipyards in Goa for such requirements. A new facility within the state would significantly boost its maritime infrastructure and self-reliance. The first step in this ambitious plan is the crucial task of land identification, for which the state is now actively searching.
