Gujarat proposes sites for intl shipyard project

Centre plans to set up two international size shipyards.

The state government has identified around half-a-dozen stretches suitable for setting up international size shipyards as proposed by the Centre.

Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways TR Baalu confirmed that the Gujarat government had proposed a few stretches such as Salaya, Jodiya, Mundra, Chanch, Pipavav and Tuna as possible locations in the state.

This is part of the Centre's plans to set up two international size shipyards, one on the east coast and another on the west coast of India.

The shipping ministry had asked maritime states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, to identify locations for setting up international size shipyards.

The ministry is looking at an international size shipyard to build and repair ships up to the size of Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), which has a carrying capacity of 300,000 tonnes (DWT).

It expects shipyards to be located in a place, which has 10-12 metres water depth at the jetty. The international size shipyard could have at least two and preferably three big dry docks (two for building and one for repair), a quayside length of at least 2.5 km and various support facilities for building and assembly of ships.

The nodal agencies for the proposal, Ennore Port Limited and Mumbai Port Trust, have initiated the process for the appointment of consultants, who would identify three or four alternative sites each on the west coast and the east coast.