Shipping Ministry to set up maritime training academy in Thoothkudi

Chennai:

The Union Shipping Minister on Saturday announced that Shipping Corporation of India would set up a maritime training academy at Thoothkudi in collaboration with V O C Chidambaranar Port Trust.

 

Addressing a conference on investment opportunities in Thoothkudi organized by All India Chamber of commerce and Industry, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan said that the Shipping Corporation of India with its experience of running the premier Maritime Training Institute at Powai in Mumbai would provide its expertise in selection of faculty, academic staff, instructors and setting up infrastructure for the academy.

 

This institute would cater to the requirements of students from southern districts of the state and provide quality maritime personnel to the country.

 

He said currently a blueprint is being prepared by the director general of shipping, Shipping Corporation of India and Indian Maritime University on the proposal. On the Outer Harbour Project in VOC Port, he said that the draft detailed project report is being prepared. The estimated project cost for the first phase is Rs 5241 crore for the creation of 43 million metric tonnes per annum. “It would be taken up in 2015 and completed in 2021,” the minister said.

 

He said with the support being provided by the Shipping Ministry and patronage extended by trade, VOC Port could emerge as a leading port in southern India catering to its vast hinterland and compete with ports like Colombo and Singapore.