CSL launches three new vessels

Kochi, Aug 9 (UNI) Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) today launched a bulk carrier ship for the Clipper Group of Bahamas, a platform supply vessel for Deep Sea Supply of Norway and a fire fighting tug for ATCO, Saudi Arabia.

''Today is a historic day for the shipyard as this is the second time in a span of five months that we are launching three vessels to three different owners,'' Chairman and Managing Director of the Shipyard Commodore M Jitendran said.

This is the third vessel, Clipper Trust, for the Clipper group, second vessel, Sea Halibut, of the eight series UT 755L PSVs for the Norwagian company and the ninth and last tug for ATCO of Saudi Arabia, Cmde Jitendran said.

Earlier in the year, three vessels were launched by CSL.

''It is a matter of great pride that we could construct these vessels in the shortest time, which is comparable to international standards in delivery time and quality,'' he said.

The work on the aircraft carrier being built at the yard was on schedule, he added.

He said in the year 2005-06, CSL achieved a net profit of Rs 18.23 crore, an increase of 30 per cent, compared to 12.10 crore for the previous year. The yard could register the highest ship-building achievement of 101663 DWT, he added.

In his address to the gathering, Chief Guest Vadm Jagjit Singh Bedi, FOC-in-C (South) said, in this period of economic diversity and growth, the yard was contributing effectively to build the maritime infrastructure of the country.

The Chairman of Cochin Port Trust N Ramachandran, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Rajendran, Commissioner of Central Excise Vinod Kumar, among other officials were present on the occasion.

UNI MA KVV SKU RN1925