Thiruvananthapuram: Tata Group’s suggestion to invest in shipbuilding will give a fillip to the UDF govt’s move to make the state a maritime hub.Chief minister V D Satheesan has said that Tata Group has expressed interest in shipbuilding, which has been included in the UDF’s govt’s Mission Samudra.He said the state govt would identify suitable land for the project in a month. Tata Group is expected to invest Rs 10,000 crore in its pioneering initiative in shipbuilding.The state budget mentioned that the govt would encourage shipbuilding and repair of mother ships. Satheesan has also asked Centre for Rs 8,000 crore assistance for shipbuilding, ship repair, dry dock and bunkering ecosystem in 5 to 10 years.The idea is to create an ecosystem at Vizhinjam where a large port is available and a 20m draft is required for giant motherships. This means there should be a slew of maritime facilities like logistics, warehouses, processing of goods, fuel bunkering, cruise handling, hospitality, shipbuilding, repair, skilling and other aspects.Sources said that a shipbuilding and allied ecosystem is needed in Vizhinjam because the huge port is a success. It is also going to help in improving the cargo handling capacity of the port. Interconnection of small ports in the state is expected to be carried out.The govt wants integrated development of Vizhinjam, Kerala maritime economic region, airport-port linked logistics and industrial ecosystem to become an infrastructural and economic success.Satheesan has also asked Centre to give Rs 2,000 crore for an international cruise terminal, marina and coastal tourism.
