ISLAMABAD: Keel Laying Ceremony of a Maritime Patrol Vessel (MPV) being built for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Friday. Federal Minister for Defence Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, graced the occasion as Chief Guest according to a Defence Ministry spokesperson.
The 1500 tonne MPV is a state of the art, multi mission vessel with a steel hull and aluminum super structure. It will be primarily used for maritime security, patrolling, and policing operations, with a total length of 95 meters.
On the occasion, the Chief Guest congratulated KS&EW and M/s China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) on achieving this important milestone one month ahead of the construction schedule, and said that it is yet another landmark project that speaks volumes on the evergreen friendship between China and Pakistan.
He further said that with the developments of the strategic CPEC project, the responsibilities of the Pakistan Navy and PMSA have increased manifold in order to protect the maritime interest of Pakistan. While appreciating the sound planning of the management, Hussain said that KS&EW has become a role model for other public sector industries, which is continuously making profit for last 10 years.
Earlier, MD KS&EW, R/Adm Syed Hasan Nasir Shah HI(M) in his address said that construction of the 1500 tonne Maritime Patrol Vessel at Karachi Shipyard is part of contract between the Ministry of Defence Production and M/s CSTC for the construction of 6 MPVs for PMSA. He said that these Maritime Patrol Vessels will act as a force multiplier for PMSA in safeguarding maritime frontiers of Pakistan together with Pakistan Navy. Adding to this, he stated that all other ongoing projects at KS&EW, including 600 Tons MPV for PMSA, 32 Tons Bollard Pull Tugs, FAC(M)-4 and Multi-Purpose Barge, are progressing satisfactorily. He also said that KS&EW is committed to delivering high quality platforms and services to the utmost satisfaction.