Cochin Port gets a shipbuilding partner as Malabar Cements, Tata’s Artson join hands

Cochin Port Authority has already made land available and begun preliminary development work for a new shipbuilding unit, after the Kerala government facilitated a joint venture between Malabar Cements Ltd and Artson Engineering Limited, a Tata Projects Group company.

A government statement said all major approvals required for the project have been secured, and described the venture as a major step toward creating a modern shipbuilding ecosystem in the state.

The project is one piece of a larger plan. The government said it hopes to attract investment potential worth Rs 10,000 crore to Kerala over the coming years across multiple projects, drawing interest from both domestic and international investors.

This shipbuilding unit sits under Mission Samudra, described by the government as an integrated maritime development strategy leveraging Kerala’s coastal region, including Vizhinjam International Seaport, Cochin Port and Cochin Shipyard, and spanning shipbuilding, ship repair, offshore fabrication, marine engineering, coastal manufacturing, logistics and maritime services.

“The state government remains committed to fostering an investment-friendly environment, building a globally competitive maritime manufacturing ecosystem in Kerala, and laying a strong foundation for the state’s long-term economic development,” the statement said, adding that talks with investors are ongoing and announcements will follow as proposals are finalised.

Wikimedia Commons/by Ranjithsiji