Ministry of shipping has taken an in-principle decision to place an order with the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for a new multi-purpose vessel for the Directorate General of Light Houses and Light Ships (DGLHLS). The total cost of the 70-feet vessel could be around Rs 175 crore including the customs and excise duties for various equipments, ministry sources told TOI here. The vessel is expected to replace DGLHLS's 34-year-old vessel, The Times of India reports.
"It has lived beyond its economical life and we want to replace it. The vessel is used for laying and maintaining buoys to navigate ships. It will also be used for movement of our staff to uninhabited islands in areas like Port Blair where India's light houses are located,'' said director general of light houses and light ships captain A M Surej.
"We will build a ship which is equipped with current technology and will last at least for more than 25 years," chairman and managing director of CSL commodore K Subramaniam said. The decision was taken at the recent ministry meeting which was one of the last meetings attended by former shipping secretary K Mohandas who retired on Wednesday. However, it might take another five to six months before the formal order for the new vessel is placed with CSL. "We would be able to deliver the vessel within three years once we start building it," Subramaniam said.
The order will give relief to CSL which is currently starved of fresh orders. The yard currently has 30 vessels on its order book, which includes 20 fast patrolling vessels for the coast guard and an aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy. Barring the two defence-related orders, CSL is expected to deliver all other vessels within one and a half years. "We need at least five to six orders every year to keep us fully engaged. But currently we don't have any fresh orders," Subramaniam said.
"It has lived beyond its economical life and we want to replace it. The vessel is used for laying and maintaining buoys to navigate ships. It will also be used for movement of our staff to uninhabited islands in areas like Port Blair where India's light houses are located,'' said director general of light houses and light ships captain A M Surej.
"We will build a ship which is equipped with current technology and will last at least for more than 25 years," chairman and managing director of CSL commodore K Subramaniam said. The decision was taken at the recent ministry meeting which was one of the last meetings attended by former shipping secretary K Mohandas who retired on Wednesday. However, it might take another five to six months before the formal order for the new vessel is placed with CSL. "We would be able to deliver the vessel within three years once we start building it," Subramaniam said.
The order will give relief to CSL which is currently starved of fresh orders. The yard currently has 30 vessels on its order book, which includes 20 fast patrolling vessels for the coast guard and an aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy. Barring the two defence-related orders, CSL is expected to deliver all other vessels within one and a half years. "We need at least five to six orders every year to keep us fully engaged. But currently we don't have any fresh orders," Subramaniam said.