By Priti Naik
The Kerala Marine Board is aiming to plan and implement various initiatives to enhance the coastal infrastructure. This is intended so that the state can reap the advantages of Vizhinjam Deepwater Sea Port, anticipated to be commissioned in May 2023.
The Prism Online Investors’ Meet in the direction of reaching this objective, stated KSEB former chairman NS Pillai, who took over because the chairman of Kerala Maritime Board on Thursday. As many as 120 traders from international locations just like the UAE, Qatar and Malaysia and NRI traders attended the meet, through which the port division introduced a slew of initiatives the state plans to develop by way of public-private partnership or revenue-sharing mannequin.
The initiatives embrace institution of ship constructing and ship restore yards, dry docks, offshore wind power initiatives, water sports activities and tourism initiatives. “The Kerala Maritime Development Corporation has got infrastructure facilities at Neendakara in Kollam, which can be utilised to start a maritime institute. The Kerala Maritime Academy can impart skill-based training. We are planning to explore the coastal and marine resources to tap the potential of blue economy,” stated Pillai.
“There is a mechanical engineering workshop at Kollam port which we want to develop into a ship repairing yard. There is tremendous scope for a repairing yard catering to small ships. Another project is to establish a ship building yard at Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram. There is immense potential for the yard as the opening of Vizhinjam port will bring new opportunities. In Ponnani, there is potential for a floating terminal and cruise vessels can be operated from here,” stated PT Joy, non-public secretary to Ports Minister Ahamed Devarkovil.
