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The proposed international ship repair facility at Kochi port is now closer to reality with the various stakeholders coming together to sign a pact.
The Cochin Port Trust, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, and representatives of the port employees, signed an agreement on the working and service conditions of the employees at the port workshop, which has been handed over to the CSL on lease for developing the facility.
The memorandum of settlement under section 12 (3) of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 was signed at a function held at the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), Ernakulam.
The Port Trust had awarded a project to the Cochin Shipyard Ltd for developing an international ship repair facility in September last year. The facility is to come up on 41 acres on the western side of Willingdon Island facing the Mattancherry channel.
Cochin Shipyard is investing around Rs 490 crore in the venture.
The existing ship repair facilities of the port, including the dry dock, slipway and workshop complex, are being taken over by CSL. CSL will also install a Ship Lift and Transfer System for 6 vessels. The Ship Lift System would be approximately 120m long, with a 30m wide lifting platform, and have the capacity to handle light ships weighing up to 6,000 tonnes.
The facility will enable ships visiting Kochi port undertake both floating and docking repairs.
C. D. Nandakumar, General Secretary, Cochin Port Employees Union, described the pact as a ‘win-win’ agreement between the two entities.
The trade unions were able to conclude a settlement in this regard, particularly in the midst of financial struggles of the port due to the bleak performance of ICTT, he said.
Considering the fact that the country is facing acute shortage of ship repair facilities, particularly for small and medium size vessels, he said this Public-Public project would flourish by utilising the infrastructure facility and skilled workforce .
Job opportunities
Moreover, the new venture will improve job opportunities for those who have lost jobs due to the stoppage of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal in Willingdon Island, he added.
> sajeevkumar.v@thehindu.co.in
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