He was speaking after inaugurating the operations of
Poseidon Oil Tanker Barge and Lakshmi Acid Barge built by KSINC.“Today, two barges are ready for operation,
aimed at supplying fuel to ships anchored in the offshore and transporting fuel
by water to industrial establishments.
I congratulate those who took part in the construction
process and worked hard for it. The government will extend all support to the
activities of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC),â€
the CM said.
Poseidon is a 1400
MT capacity oil tanker barge built at Vijay Marine Shipyard of Goa with a
government contribution of Rs 12.32 crore and company’s own funds of Rs 3.02
crore.
“It is a commendable achievement to have completed the
construction, carried out inspections and made it operational within the
stipulated time,†he said.
Lakshmi is a 300 MT capacity acid barge built at
KSINC’s own yard at Thoppumpadi with a government allocation of Rs 3 crore and
company’s own funds of Rs 1.50 crore to safely supply acid to industries.
In the first phase, water-based acid supply will be
done to The FertilisersAnd Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT). Then the
distribution will be extended to other places.
This is not the
first time that KSINC is undertaking such construction work. It has also gained
attention in the past by building various barges, solar boats etc.“The government is providing all necessary support to the corporation.
It will continue. The corporation, which was running at a loss, made a good
profit in the last financial year,†the CM added.
The Chief Minister
also wished KSINC to make further progress.