Work begins at Cochin Shipyard on two ships for Andaman

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has commenced the block erection of two modern high quality vessels for Andaman & Nicobar administration.

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari was the chief guest at the function held yesterday.

The block erection ceremony is one of the important milestones in the construction process of a ship, said a CSL release.

These are the first two ships ('vessels'), built for the island administration, each with a capacity of 500 passengers- cum-150 tonne cargo, it said.

CSL has also been awarded two vessels with capacity of 1,200 passengers-cum-1,000 tonnes cargo for the Andaman & Nicobar administration and are under construction.

The contracts were awarded as part of "Make-in-India" initiative of Government of India.

CSL, Chairman and Managing Director, Madhu S Nair delivered the welcome speech.

Gadkari addressed the gathering.

Directors of CSL, representatives from Andaman & Nicobar administration, Shipping Corporation of India, Indian Register of Shipping, American Bureau of Shipping, officers, supervisors and workmen of CSL attended the function.

The vessel is designed and built as a modern high quality passenger vessel for inter-island service in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and for occasional main land transfer.

The vessel is suitable for carrying 500 passengers and 150 MT cargo, with the highest features of safety for the personnel and vessel.

Apart from the above four passenger vessels, CSL is also constructing the prestigious indigenous aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy and technology demonstration vessel for the Government of India, the company said.