A delegation of Japan’s ship owners’ association pays courtesy visit to CM

Japan keen to begin $22.50 million project in Gujarat to turn

Alang-Sosiya shipyard in an international-level ship recycling yard

A high-level delegation of Japan’s ship owners’ association paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi today. The delegation expressed eagerness to quickly begin the Japan government’s project on Alang-Sosiya ship yard. Theproject is about turning the Gujarat’s Alang-Sosiya shipyard into a safe and eco-friendly yard at par with the internationalnorms. The project will be funded by Japan government.

Alang ship recycling yard is, at present, Asia’s biggest shipyard which sees a recycling of about 400 ships annually. Japan has a 40% share in the world’s shipping industry and it is chiefly dependent on China for recycling of ships. TheIndustries department of Japan government (METI) has carried out a study, according to which the Alang-Sosiya can be transformed into a best shipyard if it is made safer and eco-friendly as per the guidelines of a convention of InternationalMaritime Organization held in Hong Kong. Japan government is keen to initiate this project at the cost of $22.50 million. In this regard, the Maritime Board of Gujarat will prepare a detailed project report and will send it to government of India. Further, the report will be sent to Japan with the government of India’s recommendations.

The delegation comprising the officials of leading companies of shipping industry of Japan included K. Tomoda (Kawasaki), S. Tatsukawa (Mitsui OSK), T Kitayaya (NYK line) along with the officials of Mitsubishi, Nippon, KG, JXTanker. The delegation was accompanied by MD of Gujarat Maritime Board Pankaj Kumar. The delegation outlined theplan to turn the Alang shipyard into an international-level ship recycling yard.

The Chief Minister talked about the possibilities of creating world-class ship industry in Gujarat keeping in mind the 1600-km long coastline of the state.

Sources: Gujarat Information Bureau