CSL launches record platform supply ships

Kochi, Jun 2: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) created history today when it simultaneously launched five Platform Supply Ships for various companies in Norway, Greece and the US.

Addressing a gathering after launching the ships, Flag Officer- Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command VAdm S K Damle said the country's shipbuilding industry should scale up its capabilities to meet the increasing demand for ships in the present world.

''The two shipyards -- CSL and Hindustan Shipyard Limited at Vishakapatnam--have a building capacity of 60,000 tonne and this should be increased much more,'' he added.

The 28 shipyards in India --19 in the private sector, seven centrally-owned and two state-owned -- should increase their production capabilities to meet the current demand for ships in the country, VAdm Damle noted.

''Work on the aircraft carrier being built at CSL was progressing well and to the satisfaction of the customer, the Indian Navy,'' he added.

In his address, CSL CMD Commodore M Jitendran said the total turnover of the company has increased three times from Rs 235 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 720 crore in 2006-07.

The net profit registered a 300 per cent growth from Rs 18 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 58 crore in 2006-07, he added.

Cmde Jitendran said the company currently has nine shipbuilding orders including the prestigious aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy.

UNI