Strategic partnership aims to boost India’s ship repair and offshore fabrication sector
Kochi, May 12 – In a significant step towards transforming India's maritime landscape, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Drydocks World, a DP World company, have strengthened their collaboration to develop ship repair and offshore fabrication hubs across the country.This deepening partnership comes on the heels of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last month in Mumbai during the visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of CSL.
High-Level Visit Signals Progress
To accelerate the partnership, a high-level delegation from Drydocks World, led by CEO Captain Rado Antolovic, visited CSL’s facilities in Kochi on May 1 and 2. The team toured several key installations including the Main Yard, the newly inaugurated 310-metre Dry Dock, the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF), and the Marine Engineering Training Institute.Commenting on the visit, CSL CMD Madhu S Nair stated, "Their visit marks an important step in strengthening our collaboration under the MoU signed between us, and we look forward to working together to unlock new opportunities in the ship repair domain."
Building a World-Class Maritime Ecosystem
Captain Rado Antolovic echoed the sentiment, adding, "By combining our global expertise with CSL's local strength, we are laying the foundation for a world-class ship repair and offshore fabrication ecosystem in India. This is a long-term commitment to foster innovation, generate skilled employment, and contribute to India’s vision for a self-reliant and globally competitive maritime sector by 2030 and beyond."The two companies have already commenced planning joint operations at the ISRF in Kochi, marking it as their first collaborative project. Discussions are also underway to expand the scope of the partnership to other regions across India.
Aligned with India’s Maritime Vision
This strategic initiative supports the Government of India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, both of which aim to position India as a global maritime hub. These plans focus on upgrading infrastructure, leveraging advanced technologies, and nurturing a highly skilled workforce.Maritime India Vision 2030 provides a roadmap for integrated development across ports, shipping, and inland waterways, while the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 outlines long-term goals to transform India into a developed nation by the time it marks 100 years of independence.
With this partnership, CSL and Drydocks World aim to contribute significantly to these national objectives, reinforcing India's stature on the global maritime map.