The Kochi Corporation is planning to fast-track the long overdue dry-docking of its two roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessels in quick succession once the third vessel is added to the fleet, with services already hit by maintenance-related issues of the existing vessels.

At present, one vessel is out of service, and operations are being managed with only the other. Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation Limited (KSINC), which operates ro-ro services, is considering further restricting the operational hours to 6 a.m.–12.30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–10 p.m., with an extended afternoon break to prevent engine overheating. KSINC is likely to formally communicate the plan to the Corporation. The vessels were due for dry-docking in December 2024, but the deadline has since been extended twice, pushing it to 2027 and resulting in significant wear and tear.

“We have already reached an agreement with Cochin Shipyard Limited [CSL] for the dry dock of both vessels, and only the formalities remain. The dry dock will be carried out one after another as soon as the third vessel is added to the fleet. All processes related to ro-ro services and the Fort Queen ferry, which was withdrawn from service in 2023, will be completed before discussions with KSINC on finding a replacement,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol.

KSINC sources said the decision to restrict ro-ro services was taken in the interest of passenger safety, given the long overdue dry dock. They pointed out that the extension was granted after inspecting only the hull, without checking the machinery, which is critical to safety.

The annual dry dock of the two vessels entails a cost of ₹4.50 crore, as CSL rejected the Corporation’s request to reduce the fee. Councillors across political affiliations have criticised KSINC for the huge operational losses of ro-ro services, except during peak seasons such as the Kochi Carnival in December.

The civic body’s Budget for 2026–27 has proposed forming a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to manage the service, drawing criticism from the Left Democratic Front, which described it as potential privatisation. Discussions on forming an SPV have been ongoing since 2020, but little progress has been made.

KSINC has attributed the mounting losses to unchanged fares dating back to the era of jhankar services, which preceded ro-ro, despite fuel costs nearly doubling since the launch. While jhankar consumed only around 100 litres of fuel a day, ro-ro consumes around 350 litres. Fuel prices have risen from ₹52 a litre at the time of launch to ₹96 now, yet user charges have not been increased even by a rupee. Moreover, most ro-ro components are imported and therefore costly. KSINC had recently proposed a marginal user fee, which the Corporation rejected.