The coastal city of Kochi recently celebrated a significant advancement in its maritime infrastructure with the official commissioning of a state-of-the-art 250-tonne capacity slipway cradle. This pivotal facility was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Fisheries, George Kurian.
Designed and meticulously constructed by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) at an investment of ₹1.78 crore, this robust cradle system promises to revolutionize the maintenance and docking processes for a wide array of vessels. From smaller fishing boats to sophisticated research vessels, this heavy-duty steel platform ensures the safe and efficient hauling and launching of ships weighing up to an impressive 250 tonnes.
During his inaugural address, Minister Kurian highlighted that this new infrastructure marks a crucial milestone in India’s unwavering commitment to realizing the vision of a sustainable ‘Blue Economy,’ a strategic initiative championed by the Prime Minister. He emphasized the critical role such developments play in advancing the nation’s maritime sector.
Further enhancing safety and operational efficiency at sea, the Minister also announced the ongoing installation of transponders on fishing vessels. This collaborative initiative with the Indian Space Research Organisation aims to provide real-time communication and significantly improve the safety of fishermen. Moreover, this advanced system will seamlessly integrate with FSI’s capabilities for predicting prime fishing grounds, delivering crucial, reliable information on fish-rich areas directly to fishermen via their transponders. This will empower them with vital data, ultimately boosting their catches and ensuring safer journeys.
FSI Director-General Sreenath K.R. underscored the slipway’s role as a vital component in modernizing the deep-sea fleet, perfectly aligning with the ambitious goals of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Other distinguished speakers at the event included George Ninan, Director of the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology; Ashish Mehrotra, Deputy Inspector-General of the Coast Guard; Sijo P. Varghese, FSI Zonal Director; and Dharmvir Singh, Director of Engineering at FSI, collectively highlighting the collaborative spirit driving India’s maritime development.