Kochi Corporation’s third Ro-Ro vessel likely by December

The third roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel of the Kochi Corporation, currently under construction by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), is expected to be launched in December, coinciding with the upcoming edition of the Kochi Biennale, Mayor M. Anilkumar has said. The Mayor and K.J. Maxy, MLA, raised a request in this regard during a review meeting on Friday (October 24) to assess the progress of the Ro-Ro’s construction.

Although the agreement stipulated an 18-month timeline for completing the construction, CSL chairman and managing director Madhu S. Nair issued strict instructions to expedite the process and ensure early delivery of the vessel.

As part of the review meeting, a delegation led by Mr. Anilkumar and Mr. Maxy visited the spillway of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation at Thoppumpady, where the vessel is being built. The meeting concluded with a decision to launch the third Ro-Ro by the end of December, following the local body elections.

While CSL had been going ahead with commissioning the Ro-Ro in January, both Mr. Anilkumar and Mr. Maxy demanded that the launch be advanced to December to align with the start of the Biennale. “The CSL authorities have responded positively, and we are hopeful of launching the third Ro-Ro shortly after the local body polls in December,” said Mr. Anilkumar.

He added that regular discussions and review meetings were being held to ensure the timely completion of the project. Thoppumpady councillor Sheeba Durom, CSL director of operations S. Harikrishnan, finance director V.J. Jose, and executive director V.P. Shiras were present.