Greek Shipping Co CEO lauds Indian Navy for tackling piracy

Kochi, Nov 21 (UNI) Lauding the Indian Navy for ''taking charge of the Indian Ocean to tackle piracy,'' Greek Hellespont Steamship Corporation CEO Christian von Oldershausen today regretted that European governments were ''dithering'' on the issue.

Speaking at a 'naming ceremony' of two Hellespont Platform Supply Vessels at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Mr von Oldershausen said the ships from his company had faced attacks twice from the pirates in the Indian Ocean recently.

''We are glad that the Indian Navy is taking charge by sending ships to the Indian Ocean to fight piracy, specially when our governments are dithering over the issue,'' he added.

Stating that his company, which specialised in the tanker business, was entering the offshore segment with the four Platform Supply Vessels being constructed at the CSL, the Hellespont CEO said while the tanker segment was facing turmoil globally, the offshore segment was firming up.

He hoped that the company would be able to take delivery next week of the two vessels named at the CSL today.

Later, Ms Delia Moningo-Albert, the Ambassador of the Phillippines to Germany, named one of the ships 'Hellespont Daring' while Ms Gloria Freifrau von Olderhausen, the mother of the Hellespont CEO, named the second ship 'Hellepsont Dawn.' Hellespont Steamship Corporation Chairman Basil Papachristidis and CSL CMD Cmde M Jitendran were also present on the occasion.

Cmde Jitendran said the CSL was set to emerge in an ''undisputed position'' in all segments of ship building in the country with the commencement of operations of its small shipbuilding division in about eight months' time.

A feasibility study was also going on for a 'dry dock' division, he added.

Stating that the CSL had achieved full capacity utilisation, the CMD said it was operating completely in the international arena with 70 per cent of its materials being imported and 100 per cent of its products being exported.

Presently, the Public-sector CSL is constructing 20 offshore vessels for European and American clients valued at over Rs 3,000 crore. It is also manufacturing the an Aircraft Carrier for the Indian Navy.

The CSL achieved a turnover of Rs 967 crore during 2007-08 with the profit after tax being the highest ever at Rs 93.85 crore.

UNI ARC PMM AK RN1532