Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata (SMPK) has officially ended its joint venture with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), according to industry reports. Despite this separation, both organizations remain committed to improving the ship repair industry in India. An official announcement detailed the dissolution, which included a transfer of ₹5.94 crore representing shared profits from the Cochin-Kolkata Ship Repair Unit. During a recent visit to CSL’s facility in Cochin, SMPK chairman Rathendra Raman received the cheque from CSL’s chairman and managing director, Madhu Nair.
Raman highlighted that the shared profits reflect the increasing competitiveness in India’s ship repair sector. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between ports and shipyards for initiatives like ‘Make In India,’ which seeks to lessen dependency on foreign repair services. With the joint venture concluded, Kolkata Port plans to focus on independently enhancing its ship repair capabilities.
Future strategies include expanding existing facilities to capture a larger share of maintenance work, leveraging its strategic location and maritime infrastructure. While SMPK pursues autonomous growth in ship repairs, both entities express openness to potential future collaborations. This transition marks a significant shift in the dynamics of India’s ship repair industry.
