PSU to revive ship-breaking after 14 years

Kozhikode, Oct 17: After a gap of 14 years, activities at a ship-breaking unit of a public sector company here will be revived with arrival of a ship built in Poland for dismantling providing employment to many.

Dismantling work of the ship, 'M T Sahmay,' built in 1971 and now owned by Master Shipyard (MS) in Kochi would begin soon, Mr P M Kariyathan of the Steel Industries Kerala Limited (SILK) told here on Friday, Oct 17. He said MS, which brought it for cargo shipping, had decided to dismantle the vessel as existing laws do not allow ships older than 25 years for cargo service.

The company planned to bring back its employees, who were transferred to other units of SILK for want of work after dismantling a ship 14 years ago, he said.

The firm is also expecting dismantling work of two more ships in a couple of days, Mr Kariyathan said adding this would also provide indirect employment to many in the surrounding locality of Beypore where the unit is located.

Eastablished in 1980, SILK's ship-breaking unit which faced threat of closure had transfered its employees to other units for want of work at its beypore unit.

UNI