Sarthank Kanjilal
Port Blair, Apr 28: In a major stride towards boosting up ship repair activities locally, the Port Management Board plans to set up a Shiplift facility at Shore Point in Bambooflat. Sharing details of the project exclusively with Andaman Sheekha, the Chief Port Administrator, Port Management Board, Mr Jyothi Giridhara Rao said that the Ship Repair Facility, also known as Shiplift Facility, will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 87 crores and tenders are being finalized for award of the project to the most competent player.
“Shiplift facility is a modern technology used for ship repair and shipbuilding activities. One such facility is being used by the Indian Navy at Kharwa in Karnataka, while another has been set up by Larsen and Toubro at Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu. The Port Management Board has already floated tenders for appointment of Consultants for the project at an approximate cost of Rs 2 crores and altogether four bids have been received in response. After scrutiny of the proposals, the bids were submitted to the Cochin Shipyard Limited, which finalized the tender documents, seeking recommendations. As suggested by the Cochin Shipyard Limited, certain clarifications have been sought from two firms. On receipt of the clarifications, further action will be taken for opening of financial bids,” informed the PMB Chief.
The Shiplift facility, once commissioned, in these islands will be a major boost for the shipping sector as it will make possible execution of major repairs except for larger mainland-bound vessels locally. However, it may take another 2-3 years for the project to start on ground. The PMB also plans to extend the Breakwater at Campbell Bay, he added.
