16 tuna long liners to be constructed at Cochin Shipyard

Chennai : Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed, contracts for construction of 16 numbers of Tuna Long Lining & Gillnetting Fishing Vessels under the diversification of trawl fishing boats from palk bay into deep sea fishing boats under Central sector on Blue Revolution Scheme of with financial assistance from Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu.

 A tripartite contract to this effect was signed and the Steel Cutting Ceremony for these 16 vessels took place at CSL this morning in the presence of Shri.Madhu S Nair, CMD-CSL, Dr. G Sameeran, IAS, Additional Director (Fisheries), Govt. of Tamil Nadu and other senior officials from Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu, CSL &also senior officials from Central Institute of Fisheries Technology.

This is CSL's first entry into the fishing vessel construction segment. CSL, known for



its capabilities in construction of big & high-end specialized vessels wishes to bring in quality, modern and efficient products to this currently unorganized sector thereby benefitting not only the fishing community, but also partnering in the effort to sustain the ecology by promoting long lining & gillnetting activities as against the highly damaging trawling that currently exists in this space. The current order for 16 boats, has been construed by CSL as a Pilot project as part of its attempt to venture into and understand the requirements of this sector.

CSL is partnering with the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in this endeavour with inspection under Indian Register of Shipping. The proposed vessel of length around 22 Mtrs is provided with Central and State subsidy to the maximum of 56 Lakhs for the selected beneficiaries of the Fisheries Department.