Nine firms including Essar Constructions, Larsen and Toubro, ABG Shipyard, Shapoorji Pallonji, South Korea-based STX Shipbuilding, UK-based Mcnulty Offshore Construction are vying for the mega shipyard proposed to be set up by the Government in the east coast.

The Ennore Port, which had been nominated by the Shipping Ministry as the nodal agency to invite bids for setting up an international size shipyard on the East coast, had invited expressions of interest (EoI) from firms interested in the project. The Indian Ports Association has identified Tutcorin, Ennore and Kakinada as possible sites on the east coast to set up the mega shipyards.

The firms that responded to the EoI are: Chennai-based IMC Ltd, Larsen and Toubro, Essar Constructions, UK-based Mcnulty Offshore Construction Ltd, Chennai-based Goodearth Maritime Ltd, Mumbai-based ABG Shipyard Ltd, Kolkata-based Apeejay Shipping Ltd, South Korean firm STX Shipping and Mumbai-based Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Ltd. This information was given by Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, in Lok Sabha here today.

The private firms would be allowed to design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the shipyard that would build and repair ships with carrying capacity of up to three-lakh tonnes. The proposed shipyard would comprise two big docks, and preferably three (two for building and one for repair) quay side length of at least 2.5 km with 12-metre water depth with various support facilities.

Meanwhile, for the proposal to set up a shipyard on the West coast of India, three firms have expressed interest. They are STX Corporation, Mumbai-based Bharati Shipyard and Larsen and Toubro Ltd. The EoIs were invited by the Mumbai Port Trust, which is the nodal agency for the job.