Colombo Dockyard builds passenger craft for Govt. of India

For the first time in the history of local shipbuilding industry a Sri Lankan organisation, (Colombo Dockyard PLC - CDPLC) has been awarded a shipbuilding project by the Government of India. This is the first Ocean going passenger vessel construction to be undertaken by CDPLC.

This historic project was ceremonially inaugurated with the keel laying ceremony for Hull numbers NC 209 and 210 recently.

The Shipping Corporation of India’s interests were represented by Deputy General Manager Technical Rashpaul Singh, while other invitees from classification society Lloyds represented by Principal Surveyor and Marine Operations Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Anil Kumar, Indian Register of Shipping represented by Country manager Praveen Mishra and Director General Merchant Shipping Sri Lanka Shantha Weerakoon.

The senior management of CDPLC hosted the ceremony under the stewardship of Chairman - Colombo Dockyard PLC Shinichi Tatebe.

Since its inception in 1974 CDPLC has proved its capabilities by building Tug boats, fast crafts, Anchor handling tugs meeting owner’s (Local and foreign) requirements and international classification society standards.

Utilizing the engineering talents of the local engineers and workers, these local built vessels for foreign and local and 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 CDPLC has ever secured at US $ 36.6 million during a span of over three decades of operations.

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

This project also marks a significant strength to CDPLC’s future Shipbuilding Business Strategy, as a potential Passenger Vessel builder. Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Nicobar and Andaman Islands in India and all other SAARC Countries requiring vessels for Passenger Transportation, CDPLC would definitely be in a position to acquire more orders in the future.

The design of the Vessel is developed by a world renowned ship design firm Larsen & Toubro Limited, e Engineering Solutions - Marine & Ship which is a Strategic Business Unit of Larsen & Toubro limited of India.

The Vessels shall be built and classed by Lloyds Register of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping and statutory rules applicable. This ocean going passenger cum cargo vessel shall be capable of all weather operation from the Main Land to UTK Islands route as well as inter island routes.