Pakistan Maritime Security Agency commissions two chinese build patrol vessels
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KARACHI: (APP) Two Maritime Patrol vessels built in China for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) were commissioned on Saturday at an impressive ceremony held at Guangzhou, China.
A PSMA statement issued here on Saturday said that the ships have been named as PMSS Hingol and PMSS Basol.
Lt Gen (R) Zamir Ul Hassan Shah, Secretary Defence, was the chief guest on the occasion.
The ceremony was also attended by Director General PMSA, President of China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC) and other civilian and Military Officials.
Addressing the ceremony, Secretary Defence congratulated Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and M/s China Ship Building Trading Company and other stakeholders involved in the project for successful completion of first two ships of the overall project of 06 x Maritime Patrol Ships.
He expressed his satisfaction with the progress of project and also applauded the efforts of all concerned for meeting the highest quality standards in construction of these ships, almost 4 months ahead of the contract schedule.
The chief guest highlighted the significance of the project alongwith wide ranging cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, economic trade and defence between Pakistan and Peoples Republic of China.
He said that addition of these potent and latest ships in PMSA surface Fleet Squadron will not only enhance Pakistan's capabilities at sea but through transfer of technology, ship building industry will also greatly get benefitted.
Earlier, Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar, during his welcome address highlighted the requirement of a stronger Maritime Security Agency in the overall security environment of North Arabian Sea particularly in the wake of CPEC project.
He said that realizing the Maritime security needs, Government of Pakistan undertook this programme as a timely response to evolving challenges in Maritime domain.
Realization of the project for provision of new ships will reap the economic benefits for CPEC, as the agency will be able to stand guard against the security challenges, posed by our enemies including criminal elements.
The construction of Maritime Patrol Ships programme was approved by ECNEC in December 2014.
The construction of 04 Ships commenced in November 2015 at China and last two Ships are being built in Pakistan at Karachi Ship yard and Engineering Works.
Addition of these ships in PMSA surface fleet would lead to a new era of PMSA's capability and capacity enhancement for effective law enforcement in Maritime zones of Pakistan.
Maritime security Ships Hingol and Basol, named after Baluchistan Rivers, are scheduled to arrive Gwadar in January 2017.
