By Bl Kochi

Copyright thehindubusinessline

In a major boost to India’s marine fisheries infrastructure development, Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian on Wednesday commissioned a newly built 250-tonne capacity slipway cradle in Kochi. The facility will support docking and maintenance capabilities for a diverse range of vessels from fishermen boats to research vessels.

Built by the Fishery Survey of India at a cost of ₹1.78 crore, the new cradle is a heavy-duty steel structural platform designed for the safe hauling and launching of vessels up to 250 tonnes displacement. With this capacity, it is the largest government owned vessel cradle facility ever established in the country.

The Minister said the cradle represents “a milestone in India’s journey towards realizing the vision of a sustainable Blue Economy”. The facility will benefit fishers, multiple government agencies and other stakeholders in the marine sector. The cradle will support uninterrupted marine research operations, enabling continuous surveys, stock assessments, and ecosystem monitoring.

FSI Director General Sreenath K R said that the slipway cradle is a critical enabler for the deep-sea fleet modernization envisioned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). This facility directly supports the objectives of PMMSY by ensuring these new assets are kept in prime operational condition, enhancing their lifespan and guaranteeing the safety of fishers at sea.

The FSI slipway complex plays a pivotal role in maintaining a diverse array of vessels beyond traditional fishing boats, including those used for research and enforcement by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Indian Coast Guard, Customs and Lakshadweep Fisheries Department. It can also cater to Kochi Water Metro vessels, tourism crafts, inland water transport vessels and private deep-sea operators.

Published on October 8, 2025