KOCHI: The Cochin Shipyard unveiled the design of the Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) services to be launched in the Fort Kochi-Vypin Route, at a function held in the Ernakulam Press Club on Wednesday. The Ro-Ro service was mooted by the Kochi Corporation. The double ended ferry, with propulsors and ramps at both ends of the vessel, will be adorned with white, light green and dark blue. On both sides of the ferry, the name of the ‘Kochi Municipal Corporation’ and ‘Cochin Shipyar Ltd’ would be displayed along with the connecting route.
According to Bejoy Bhasker, Chief General Manager, Design and Defence projects, the vessel will have a length of about 33 m including the ramps on both side. “As per the design, the vessel can carry four lorries, 12 cars (Maruti) and 50 number of passengers in a trip. With the launching of this service, the West Kochi residents can reach the main land without much woe.
As the vessel is designed with Azimuth Propulsion system on both ends, the vessel can be operated without any need of turning the Ro-Ro ferry at the jetty during cast off,” said Bejoy Bhasker.
As per the estimates by the Cochin Shipyard, the construction of one vessel is expected to cost Rs 3.8 crore and the Corporation would pay the amount to the Cochin shipyard. The Civic body had launched the Ro-Ro project under the ‘Mission Kochi 15-8-15’ initiative. The fund required for building the vessels will be provided by the Kerala Urban and Rural Development Finance Corporation (KURFDC).
According to them, this is the first time in India’s history, a RO-RO ferry was being built here. “The RO-Ro which is owned by the Cochin Port Trust was brought from Singapore. With the commencement of this project, Kochi will be known for having built a Ro-Ro jangar too. The construction of the second vessel will begin only after three months of the first vessel as we have to analyse what are the updations needed for the project,” he added.
While speaking at the press conference, Mayor Tony Chammany said the Ro-Ro service would be a ‘water metro’ for the West Kochites.” This is the first time a civic body is coming up with a plan to construct a Ro-Ro service and we are proud to launch the same,” the Mayor said.
As part of commencing the work, the ‘steel-cutting’ ceremony for the two ended Ro-Ro vessels and Passenger Ferries would be held at the Cochin Shipyard on August 1. KV Thomas MP will inaugurate the ceremony. Mayor Tony Chammany, MLA Hibi Eden, Benny Behnan, Ludy Luiz, Cochin Port Trust Officials, Cochin Shipyard officials, Corporation councilors, will also take part.