KOCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India will become a superpower in the maritime trade sector. The Prime Minister said that the three projects worth Rs 4000 crore inaugurated in Kochi yesterday are part of this goal. He was inaugurating Cochin Shipyard's ship repair facility, a second dry dock and Indian Oil Corporation's LPG import terminal at Puthuvypeen.

As the maritime sector is strategically important, huge projects are being implemented in coastal cities including Kochi. The largest drydock yard in the country is now in Kochi. With the improving facility for the construction and maintenance of large ships, there will be an increase in income and employment opportunities. The focus is being given to the maritime sector, recognizing the immense potential of the India-Gulf-Europe Economic Corridor.

LPG terminal will benefit the cities of Kochi, Kozhikode, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli. Related commercial transactions and employment opportunities will increase.

Speaking at the function, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the contribution of 'Made in Kerala' was huge in the 'Make in India' project. He pointed out that public sector organizations in Kerala played a major role in the Chandrayaan and Aditya missions.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Union Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and others participated.

Dry dock worth Rs 1800 crore

• Length: 310 m, Width: 75 m, Depth: 13 m.
• It can handle aircraft carriers weighing 70,000 tonnes, large cargo ships, tankers etc. India can avoid the situation of seeking help from foreign countries in emergencies.
• 2000 job opportunities.

Ship Repair Facility worth Rs 970 crores

• Kochi will become an international hub for ship repair.
• Shiplift system with a capacity of 6000 tonnes, 6 workstations and 1400m long berth capable of accommodating 7 ships of 130m long.
• 2000 job opportunities.

LPG terminal worth Rs 1236 crores
The import terminal has a storage capacity of 15400 tonnes. LPG supply to lakhs of homes and institutions will be efficient. A profit of more than 150 crores per year in LPG distribution. Good for bottling plants.