US $ 36.6 m Indian contract for CDL to build two ships

CONSTRUCTION: Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) succeeds in securing order for construction of two numbers 250 passenger capacity ships for the Government of India.

The significance of the award is that, this is the first time in the history of local shipbuilding industry that a Sri Lankan organisation (in this case CDL) has been awarded a shipbuilding project by the government of India. This is the first Ocean going passenger vessel construction to be undertaken by CDL.

Since its inception in 1974 CDL has managed to prove its capabilities by building Tug boats, fast crafts, anchor handling tugs to meet owner’s (Local and foreign) requirements and international classification society standards.

Utilising the engineering talents of the local engineers and workers, these locally built vessels for foreign and local clients have managed to secure a name for Sri Lanka as a versatile shipbuilding nation. In monitory terms this order is also the largest shipbuilding order and the highest value contract CDL has ever secured at US $ 36.6 million during span of over three decades of operations.

This unique award signifies entry of CDL into the lucrative passenger vessel market, the successful performance in the local and international shipbuilding arena has paved the way for CDL to enter into this new segment.

In addition, this award also marks a significant strength to CDL’s future Shipbuilding Business Strategy, as a potential Passenger Vessel builder, synergising our expertise and competencies in Aluminium Shipbuilding.

Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Nicobar and Andaman Islands in India and all other SAARC Countries requiring vessels for Passenger Transportation, CDL would definitely be in a position to acquire more orders in the future. CDL was formed in 1974 with the main objective of carrying out ship repair and shipbuilding activities in Sri Lanka.

In a span of 33 years the CDL has achieved a status of one of the most dynamic and comprehensive shipbuilding and ship repair yards in the South Asia region, with a satisfied customer base from all around the world. CDL operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd. Japan since 1993.

The Passenger vessel will be of 89.00 meters overall length and has the capacity to accommodate 250 passengers and cargo 100 tons.