KARACHI, Pakistan: The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Projects) Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini has said that Pakistan Navy is pursuing new inductions of platforms with focus on indegenisation and is continuously awarding contracts to Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) for construction of ships.
While addressing keel laying ceremony of 32 Tons Bollard Pull (BP) Tug being built for Pakistan Navy held at KS&EW, the Chief Guest Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini said that this will not only ensure timely availability of required ships for Pakistan Navy but will also go a long way in consolidating the shipbuilding industry in Pakistan.
The Tug has a 34 meter overall length with displacement of 481 tons with a maximum speed of 12 knots. It is also fitted with a very robust fendering arrangement for tugging operations of almost all sizes of ships and craft.
The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Projects) highly appreciated the achievement of this important milestone and said that construction of 32 tons BP Tug is indeed a clear manifestation of Pakistan Navy vision to pursue self-reliance in ship construction.
Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini acknowledged all out support of Ministry of Defence Production and strenuous efforts of Karachi Shipyard towards attaining this goal.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director KS&EW Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah said that a similar vessel was delivered to Pakistan Navy in 2014 which is performing exceptionally good.
Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah also gave a brief outlook of ongoing projects and said that presently KS&EW is undertaking 9 shipbuilding projects which includes Fleet tanker for Pakistan Navy, MPVs for Pakistan Maritime Agency, Fast Attack Craft (Missile), Multi-Purpose Barge for Pakistan Navy and Bridge Erection Boats for Pakistan Army.
The managing director KS&EW also thanked the Ministry of Defence Production and especially Pakistan Navy for reposing confidence in KS&EW.
The ceremony was attended by high ranking officials from the government of Pakistan, Pakistan Navy, corporate sector and KS&EW.
Source: ISPR
