Cochin Shipyard To Provide Repair Services For US Navy Vessels

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a prestigious government-owned shipbuilding and repair facility based in Kochi, has reached a significant milestone by signing an agreement with the United States Navy for the repair of its vessels.

The master shipyard repair agreement (MSRA) between CSL and the US Navy will enable American naval vessels operating in the Indian Ocean region to undergo repair works at CSL's facilities.

In an official statement submitted to the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange, CSL confirmed the signing of the MSRA, emphasising that it is a non-financial agreement effective from 5 April 2024.

The agreement positions CSL as a preferred destination for the repair of US naval vessels under the Military Sealift Command, following a rigorous evaluation and capability assessment process conducted by the US Navy, reports Economic Times.

The agreement between CSL and the US Navy assumes significance as it grants US Navy ships access to an Indian port for repair purposes.

Notably, officers from the Indian Navy clarified that the Indian Navy has no involvement in the agreement and stated that the concerned shipyard is approached through the Union government, with agreement confirmation expected from them.

Amidst these developments, the signing of the agreement has sparked controversy, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) expressing opposition.

CPI-M politburo member MA Baby criticised the Union government for allegedly diluting non-alignment policies and warned that the move could escalate international tensions within the country.