ISLAMABAD: Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) Wednesday handedover a 32-ton Bollard Pull (BP) Tug to Pakistan Navy.
Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat was the chief guestat the handing over ceremony held at KS&EW in Karachi, which was attendedamong others by high ranking officials from government, Pakistan Navy,Corporate Sector and the shipyard.
“The 32 Tons BP Tug has a 34 meter overall length with displacement of 481tons.
It has maximum speed of 12 knots and propelled by 2 x Diesel Engines andsame number of Azimuth Thrusters.
It is fitted with a very robust fendering arrangement for all round tuggingoperation of almost all sizes of ships and crafts of Pakistan Navy,” said apress release issued here.
Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat said it was indeed a clear manifestation of thevision of Pakistan Navy to pursue self-reliance in the field of shipconstruction.
He appreciated Ministry of Defence Production and Karachi Shipyard fortheir valuable contribution towards attaining goal of self-reliance in thefield of ship building.
He said the Karachi Shipyard was one of the few public sector industrieswhich made a remarkable turnaround in last decade and was playing a pivotalrole in supporting all components of national maritime sector.
He said that inception of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projecthad created many opportunities for the growth of local industries, addingthe public sector industries like shipyard should avail this opportunityand help create more jobs and play their role in national development.
Earlier MD KS&EW, Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah, in his welcomeaddress, thanked Pakistan Navy and the Ministry of Defence Production fortheir continued support.
He said that no foreign assistance had been sought for this project as ithad been completed with self-sufficiency in all phases of construction.
He briefed about the ongoing shipbuilding and ship-repair activities atKS&EW.
Presently, he said, the KS&EW was undertaking 6 x shipbuilding projects.
“First export order of 8 x sugar mill rollers to Philippines and Thailandthrough an American Company CSI, has also been delivered this year,” heinformed.
Lastly, he said that each and every worker of Karachi Shipyard was ready,prepared and committed to complete these challenging projects on time whilemeeting all quality standards.