Smooth sail for Cochin Shipyard

KOCHI: It Is smooth sailing for Cochin Shipyard (CSL), the largest shipyard in the country, with both ship building and ship repair sectors well on its way to touch new highs.

CSL, which launched a bulk carrier and platform supply vessel besides delivering a bulk carrier and also laying the keel for another on Friday, is hoping to surpass the earlier record in shipbuilding. It is hoping to end this fiscal with 1.49 lakh DWT as compared to 1,10,206 DWT achieved in 2005-06, according to company spokesperson.

During the year, CSL delivered three firefighting tugs for Atco in Saudi Arabia and two bulk carriers out of six contracted for Denmark-based Clipper. The yard is also constructing 14 platform supply vessels for Europe, making its foray into lucrative offshore vessel market.

Taking into account the increased interest in the sector, CSL has proposed a small ship division, which has already received an in principle approval.

CSL’s repair turnover till December 2006 reached Rs 160 crore exceeding the target of Rs 150 crore. The major repairs done include that for three ONGC rigs. CSL is also constructing an aircraft carrier for Indian Navy.