12 October 2007

Cochin Shipyard Launches one Bulk Carrier and one Platform Supply Vessel

Cochin Shipyard launched the sixth bulk carrier, under construction for M/s Clipper Group, Denmark, and Fifth Platform Supply Vessel under construction for M/s Deep Sea Supply, Norway, today at Cochin Shipyard. The Chief Guest for the day was Shri Ajoy Chatterjee, Chief Surveyor with Government of India-cum-Additional Director General of Shipping (Engineering). Cmde M Jitendran, CMD, CSL and other senior officials of Cochin Shipyard were present on the occasion.

The Chief Guest commenced the ceremonious launching and flooding of Ship 019 and By 60 by pressing a button. Mrs. Lisa Molin was the God Mother who named the vessel “Clipper Tenacious” in their traditional manner. Mr. Nicolai Molin, Commercial Director, Clipper Group was also present as owner’s representative.

The sixth bulk carrier is launched and planned to be delivered ahead of schedule. The fifth in the series of Platform supply vessels is also launched on schedule. Recently Cochin Shipyard conducted the sea trial of the fourth Platform Supply Vessel in record time which is a commendable achievement as per international standards. The same was delivered on 10 Oct 2007. The Bulk carrier launched today is the last in the series of six ships being built by Cochin Shipyard for M/s Clipper Group, Denmark. The first five ships were delivered on schedule. The fifth of the series “Clipper Texan” was in fact delivered two months ahead of schedule in August 2007. The order for these ships was signed in Jan 2004. These ships hold a special importance for CSL, being the first series orders for large ships signed by the company for export. It is also the largest merchant vessels exported to date from India.

The ship is designed and built as a single screw diesel engine driven Bulk Carrier for unrestricted worldwide service. The vessel complies with the requirements for type”B” ships defined by the International Convention on Load lines, 1966. The ship is capable of carrying Dry bulk, break bulk cargoes such as grain, metal concentrates, iron ore, scrap metal, coal, bauxite, salt and sugar. The ship is 178.70 M long, with a breadth of 28 M, depth of 14 M and draft of 9.5 M. The ship can carry gross tonnage of about 19,918 and has a grain holding capacity of 40000 m3. With a speed of 14.30 knots the vessel is built under the special survey and inspection of the Classification Society of the ABS.

CSL has further orders for 16 more Platform Supply Ships for various foreign owners. The prestigious Air Defence Ship for the Indian Navy is also under construction.

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By V.KALA
Company Secretary