L.
C. Ponnumon*
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) launched the third
Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) named ‘ABHINAV’ being built for the Indian
Coast Guard (ICG). The vessel is the third in a series of 20 numbers Fast Patrol Vessels contracted by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian
Coast Guard. The contract was signed in 2010 with delivery of the last vessel slated
for 2017. The vessels are being built under the dual classification
requirements. The 50 metre x 7.6 metre
x 4.65 metre vessels have a designed speed of 33
knots. The primary role of the vessel include fisheries protection and
monitoring, patrol within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and coastal patrol ,
anti smuggling, search and rescue operations and for anti piracy operations.
The vessels have a secondary role of providing communication link and escort
convoys during hostilities and war time.
These
high speed Fast Patrol Vessels, though small in size are extremely complex and
technologically challenging. The ships
are propelled by water jets to attain a speed of 33 knots. The high speed boats are weight sensitive and
extensive use of Aluminium in the super structure has
been made. Cochin Shipyard has developed
special techniques to ensure high quality welding and fabrication of Aluminium structures.
Cochin
Shipyard presently has 25 ships on order consisting of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels, 3
Offshore Support ships for Indian and foreign owners, 1 Buoy Tender vessel for
the Department of Lighthouses and Lightships and the Prestigious Aircraft
Carrier for the Indian Navy. Cochin Shipyard Limited has entered
into the high niche technological area of Offshore Support Vessels for the oil
industry incorporating high end technology like clean design, electric
propulsion, comfort class notation, etc.
Since 2005 Cochin Shipyard
Limited has built and delivered 40 ships for owners based at various parts
of the world viz Bahamas, Norway, Netherlands, Greece, USA and Saudi Arabia. Apart from this Cochin Shipyard Limited has delivered four
Anchor Handling Tugs and two Platform Support Vessels to
Shipping Corporation of India. In the
year 2012-13 Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered six Offshore Support Ships, for various
international and domestic owners.
Recently, Cochin
Shipyard Limited entered into a
contract with Cochin Port Trust for setting up of an international Ship Repair
facility at the Cochin Port Trust premises. This new facility is expected to
help shipyard to increase its market share in the repair of small and medium
ships. The first ship for repair in the
Cochin Port Trust repair facility was docked on 25 May 2013. The yard has also
identified other expansion plans for growth.
(PIB
Features.)
*****
*Media & Communication
Officer, PIB, Cochin.
With Inputs from Cochin
Shipyard Limited.
SS-41/SF-41/19-06-2013
RTS/HSN
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