The Hindu Business Line : Cochin Shipyard launches double-hull bulk carrier

Kochi June 7 Cochin Shipyard Ltd launched a double-hull bulk carrier and a platform supply vessel on Wednesday evening. It also laid the keel for another bulk carrier for European owners.

The vessel Clipper Texan is the fifth of the six 30,000 DWT bulk carriers being built for Clipper Group of Denmark.

The yard also laid the keel of the last vessel in the series for the Group.

Besides, a platform supply vessel was also launched for Deep Sea Supply of Norway.

This is the fourth of a series of eight platform supply vessels being built in the yard for this owner.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr M. Jitendran, Chairman and Managing Director, said that the yard's new commercial building order book is now worth Rs 2,000 crore and apart from this, the yard has the order for the aircraft carrier for the Navy.

In physical terms, CSL has orders for 18 platform supply vessels, two bulk carriers and one air Defence ship.

The healthy order book is a direct result of the company's performance in the initial orders for bulk carriers and platform supply vessels for European owners.

The quality workmanship and timely delivery has attracted a number of owners, such as NFC of Norway and Vroon Offshore and Tidewater Marine of the US, he said.

In 2006-07, it clocked an all-time high shipbuilding achievement of 1,79,000 DWT and an all-time high ship repair turnover of Rs 285 crore, he said.

He also said that the small ship division is under the consideration of Expenditure Finance Committee of the Shipping Ministry.

The yard has also signed the Phase I contract with the Navy for the air Defence ship project.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr M.M. Saggi, Nautical Advisor to the Government, said that the yard has come a long way in achieving international competitiveness.