Everything’s shipshape at Porbandar yard

Porbandar shipyard has graduated to bigger designs. Known for producing medium-sized fishing and cargo vessels, it is now buzzing with activ...

Porbandar shipyard has graduated to bigger designs. Known for producing medium-sized fishing and cargo vessels, it is now buzzing with activity as some of the world’s largest wooden vessels are being built here.

These ‘‘teak titans’’, more than double the size of those being built elsewhere in the world, have put the centuries-old shipyard on the waterway to development. Interestingly, there are no plans, blueprints or sketches — the workers are self-made architects. Once they are given the size, they work around it to create the ship. This time, the craftsmen have incorporated a curve, instead of the pointed joint, at the prow to enable smooth steering.

Last week, the final nail was hammered into the 2,000-ton Jal Jaya. At present, four ships are under construction at Lakdi Bandar. Of these, two are the largest twin wooden vessels, which are yet to be named. These 145-feet-long, 45-feet-wide and 2,200-ton giants are being built to ferry cargo between Porbandar and Gulf countries, especially Dubai.

Story continues below this ad

According to Gujarat Maritime Board officials, since 1961, when the Ship Registration Act came into existence, records show they have made ships weighing around 500 tons. ‘‘This is a significant development in the history of Porbandar yard. The ships being made may be largest in the world,’’ says Sunil Gohel, whose family built Jal Jaya.

‘‘Porbandar’s proximity to the Gulf countries has helped this port clinch some deals in import of dates, salt, soda ash and onions,’’ said Gohel. ‘‘In bigger ships, overheads are lesser, be it labour cost or fuel consumption, so they are economically more viable when import orders are on the rise,’’ says a shipowner.

According to the contractors, such ships cost around Rs 3 crore. ‘‘As these ships are still under construction, it’s difficult to estimate the total cost,’’ said a shipowner. Apart from the size, these ships have better facilities and are technologically more sound. “These bigger vessels have three decks. On the return journey from Dubai, this helps stack different types of goods separately,’’ said R. Pastodia, another shipowner.