Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) has entered into an agreement with a private firm to establish a shipyard for manufacturing small and medium-sized vessels under the public-private partnership (PPP) model at Ponnani port. This facility, which will be the second of its kind in the state after Kochi, is set to be developed on the western side of Ponnani harbour.
Project Overview
The shipyard, with a total investment of Rs 1,000 crore, will be executed in two phases. According to a KMB official, the project aims to transform Ponnani into a significant hub for shipbuilding. The first phase will focus on constructing small vessels, including passenger ferries for short routes, regional cargo carriers, and feeder vessels that operate between smaller ports. A wharf will be built near the breakwater to support these operations. The initial phase requires an investment of Rs 200 crore and will also lay the groundwork for the infrastructure needed to build larger ships in the future.
Strategic Importance
The development of small and medium vessels aligns with the state government's plan to enhance small ports under KMB for cargo movement and tourism-related passenger transport. The second phase, expected to be implemented within a decade, will involve the construction of large vessels, elevating Ponnani to a status comparable with the Cochin Shipyard. “The shipbuilding yard project is part of developing the port into a maritime hub,” the official added.
Additional Initiatives
In conjunction with the shipyard, a shipbuilding training institute will be established to cultivate the necessary human resources for the project. Ponnani port, one of the oldest historical ports on the Malabar Coast, is among five non-major ports that the state government plans to develop. It features two breakwaters at the mouth of the Bharathapuzha River, which facilitate the movement of fishing vessels in and out of the fishing harbour. The port also holds potential for accommodating cruise ships and handling break-bulk cargo.
