Pipavav to foray into warship production

Private shipbuilder Pipavav is planning to foray into warship production and has bid for building seven vessels for the navy.

"We have submitted bids for the construction of five naval offshore patrol vessels and two cadet training ships to the Indian navy," Nikhil Gandhi, Pipavav Shipyard chairman, told PTI.

"Both the Navy and Coast Guard have shown interest in utilising our facilities and infrastructure to meet their needs," Gandhi said, but refused to elaborate on the ground that the company is in an IPO mode.

With a 662 metres-by-65 metres dockyard, Pipavav Shipyard is said to have the capability to build large ships and carry out repairs for a range of vessels up to 4,00,000 Dead Weight Tonne, including Navy and Coast Guard vessels.

It also holds facilities for fabrication and construction of offshore platforms, rigs, jackets and vessels, excluding sub-sea pipelines, for oil and gas companies.

The shipyard began commercial operations in April this year and is coming out with an IPO this month.