Cochin Shipyard to add new dock

Mumbai: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is to add a new dock in order to better cater for smaller vessels, the managemnent announced at this week's India Shipping Summit in Mumbai. The shipyard currently has two drydocks: one to build vessels of up to 110,000dwt used for shipbuilding and another used for repairs of vessel up to 125,000dwt, also capable of repairing offshore rigs. Industry insiders have speculated that CSL may also diversify into rig building services, especially now that fellow yard ABG has announced plans to do just that, but a CSL spokeperson in Cochin denied to Seatrade any immediate plans in that direction. 'We have the technical capabilities and experience,' she said, 'and  are currently contracted to repair two rigs for ONGC. We have had enquiries, but we are not moving into rig building now.' [13/10/06]