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Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and together engage in the design, development and construction of vessels for use in inland and coastal waterways. The MoU was signed by Shri Madhu S Nair, chairman and managing director, CSL, and Alexey Rakhmanov, president of USC, in the presence of Shri Nitin Gadkari, Indian shipping minister.
CSL and USC will work together on the development of high speed vessels, river-sea cargo ships, passenger vessels and dredgers, an Indian government statement revealed. The Government expects that its Sagarmala project will lead to an expansion of coastal and river traffic and a consequent rise in demand for specialist ship types. The MoU is an effort to get ready to cater to this demand by building vessels in India, the government says.
Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Shri Gadkari added, “There is a huge potential in inland waterways, cruise tourism and ro-ro transportation in the country. This collaboration will certainly bring in the much needed products, as well as market innovation, while harnessing newer technologies.”
USC is the largest shipbuilding group in Russia and operates a number of yards which have been key contributors to the growth of inland waterways in Russia.
CSL recently incorporated a joint venture company called Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited at Kolkata, West Bengal, which it plans will become a dedicated facility for the construction and repair of inland and coastal waterway vessels.
