The shipyard project proposed by Oceanic Shipyard Limited (OSL), the joint venture between Apeejay Surrendra Group and Bharati Shipyard Limited, at Charadia and Dhamra in Bhadrak district of Orissa is expected to boost the ancillary and downstream industries in the area.
Since the project is integrated with shipbuilding, oilrig, offshore structure manufacturing and repair unit, it is expected to have large employment potential.
The ancillaries that can be promoted include processing of various types of pipes, pipe fitting, hatch over, watertight doors, deck fitting, pumps and motors, steering gear, valves and valve fittings, electrical control unit for various auxiliaries, assembly of automation, cable and cable fittings, gangway and accessories, mono rail cranes, propellers, hydraulic fittings, marine lights and light fitting among others.
“The shipyard project would generate huge direct and indirect employment opportunities as well as would encourage high and low engineering downstream ancillary industries in Orissa”, Sourav Daspattnaik, CEO, OSL told Business Standard.
However, the promoters are faced with some problem over location of the oil rig unit as the Dhamara port authorities are opposed to allotment of land for the unit close to the port site. A senior official of OSL is likely to meet the chief minister Naveen Patnaik soon to discuss about these issues, official sources said.
While the company proposes to invest about Rs.2200 crore for the shipyard, the investment for the oilrig unit is estimated at Rs 900 crore. The project is first of its kind in Orissa and is billed to help add value to the locally produced steel.
Company sources said, both shipyard and oil rig units will cumulatively generate direct employment of over 7000 persons and additional employment of around 33000 to 35000 people in the downstream, ancillary and support services as the shipbuilding activity generates about 5 times more employment than a large steel plant.
The earmarked area for oilrig and offshore structure manufacture is free of human habitation which will ensure immediate project start up, sources added. Moreover, shipbuilding is non-polluting industry requiring heavy engineering skills similar to auto industry encouraging spin off economic activities in the state.