Kerala Port department plans big projects to boost coastal infra

The Kerala ports department is preparing to execute a slew of projects to improve the coastal infrastructure so that the state may benefit from the Vizhinjam Deepwater Sea Port, scheduled to open in May 2023.

The Prism Online Investors' Meet was conducted towards achieving this goal.

The port department revealed a slew of projects that the state hopes to build via public-private partnerships (PPPs) or revenue-sharing models.

Around 120 investors from nations like the UAE, Qatar, and Malaysia, including the NRI investors, attended the meeting.

NS Pillai, chairman of Kerala Maritime Board, told the media that shipbuilding and ship repair yards, dry docks, offshore wind energy projects, water sports and tourist projects are among the projects.

He said that at Neendakara in Kollam, the Kerala Maritime Development Corporation has infrastructure that might be used to build a maritime institute.

Pillai said that Kerala Maritime Academy can also provide skill-based training, and to exploit the blue economy's potential, they want to study coastal and marine resources.

PT Joy said that at Kollam port, there is a mechanical engineering facility that they aim to turn into a ship repair yard. A repairing yard that caters to tiny ships has a lot of potential.

Joy said that another plan is to develop a shipyard in Thiruvananthapuram's Poovar district.

The yard has enormous potential since the development of the Vizhinjam port would provide new options. Ponnani has the potential for a floating dock from which cruise ships may depart.

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