Tata Group to set up shipbuilding venture in Kerala: Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 15 (PTI) Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that the Tata Group would set up its first shipbuilding venture in Kerala, with plans to establish shipbuilding and ship maintenance facilities in the state. Addressing a programme here, Satheesan said the state government was working to strengthen Kerala's maritime sector through investments and infrastructure development. "Tata's shipbuilding units will come to Kerala. There will also be ship maintenance facilities," he said. The chief minister said the government had also held discussions with major public sector oil companies to support the sector. "We have said that we can provide bunkering facilities. We have spoken to India's leading companies--Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), HPCL and BPCL--and told them that bunkering facilities can be provided," he said. He also said the state government is also going to provide support to Cochin Port to start a cruise terminal. Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated the programme titled "Maritime Mahotsavam- 2026" organised by Kerala Samudra Mission. PTI TGB KH