Cochin Shipyard delivers fourteenth FPV to the Indian Coast Guard ahead of schedule
CSL delivered the fourteenth of the series of twenty Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) “ICGS Apoorva” under construction for the Indian Coast Guard. The Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance was signed between Capt R.S. Sundar, Director (Operations), CSL and Commanding Officer (Designate) of the vessel Cmdt.(JG) Dinesh Dogra. DIG T P Sadanandan, Principal Director (Material), DIG G Devanand, CGRPS (KOC), and other senior officials of ICG and CSL were present on the occasion, the shipbuilding company said on Saturday in a press release.
The vessel will be operated from the Coast Guard Station at Goa .The yard has consistently performed beyond expectations in that it has delivered 7 ships in FY 2014-15 and 4 ships in FY 2015-16. This is indeed a commendable achievement. The yard delivered 7 ships consisting of 6 Fast Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard and 1 Platform Supply Vessel for Norwegian owner in 2014-15. BY 514 the fourth ship being delivered in 2015-16. The other three being Fast Patrol Vessels for ICGS & 1 Buoy Tender Vessel to Directorate General of Light Houses and Light Ships.
As on date 14 ships out of 20 have been handed over to the Indian Coast Guard, the 17th Ship has been launched and keel of 18th Ships has been laid. Cochin Shipyard has successfully delivered 13 ships in a span of just 20 months with an average delivery interval of 1.6 months, against the contractual commitment of 3 months interval. The last vessel of the order is to be delivered by Mar 2017 as per the contract with ICG. However, with the current pace of construction, Cochin Shipyard is targeting to accomplish this by mid of 2016, much ahead of schedule.
This is a clear evidence of Cochin Shipyard’s commitment towards the maritime security of our nation. The 12 vessels already delivered have been commissioned into the service of the Indian Coast Guard and are vigilantly guarding our great nation’s vast coastline.This vessel is being delivered 51 days ahead of the contractual schedule.
CSL has been delivering the FPVs in an interval less than 2 months, against the contractual requirement of once in 3 months, the yard is planning to complete the contract much ahead of schedule, thus ensuring the coastal security of the nation.
The contract for the Design & Construction of 20 Nos. Fast Patrol Vessels was awarded to Cochin Shipyard on the 20th of October 2010. Though Cochin Shipyard had been repairing Indian Coast Guard ships in the past, this was the first new building order for CSL from the Indian Coast Guard. This was also the largest order won by CSL on a competitive tender. These Fast Patrol Vessels are primarily intended for patrolling within the Exclusive Economic Zone & Coastal Patrol, carrying out anti smuggling, anti piracy and search & rescue operations, and for fisheries protection & monitoring.
They also have a secondary role of providing a communication link, and escort coastal convoys, in times of hostilities and war.