The Hindu Business Line : Lakshadweep gets second bollard tug

Kochi June 20 The Lakshadweep Administrator, Mr B.V. Selvaraj, flagged off the second 10-tonne bollard tug of the Lakshadweep Administration at a function here.

The tug has been constructed by Vipul Shipyard of Surat, at a cost of Rs 4.91 crore. The tug is to be utilised for towing dumb barges for transport of petroleum products from mainland ports to the islands and also for positioning bigger ships alongside breakwater wharf and jetties in the islands.

The tug was constructed in12 months.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Selvaraj said that the Planning Commission had already approved in-principle the project of Rs 28 crore for the construction of a dedicated berth at Kochi in the Eleventh Plan period for which the Cochin Port Trust has already identified and allocated 300 m water front area south of South Coal Berth. The proposal is under the consideration of the Shipping Ministry.

He pointed out that Penguin Shipyard, Singapore, and NGV Tech Shipyard, Malaysia, have constructed six new vessels of 150 and 50 passenger capacities.

High-speed vessels

The Administration has already taken delivery of one 15 passenger and one 20 passenger inter island high-speed vessels constructed by NGV Tech Shipyard, Malaysia.

The 700 passenger-cum-160-tonne cargo ship - m.v. Kavaratti, which is under construction at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd since August 2000, is likely to be delivered in August this year.

To increase passenger comfort at Kochi, the Administration is also planning to provide bus service for the passengers and their luggage, shelter from rain and sun by providing shamiana and drinking water in all the wharf area at the time of embarkation/disembarkation of passengers at Kochi, he added.