Passenger vessel manufactured by CDL flagged off

The second passenger vessel manufactured by the Colombo Dockyard was flagged off last week.

This is the biggest vessel to be built by the Colombo Dockyard in her history of 36 years of shipbuilding.

High Commissioner of India, Ashok K. Kantha, along with J. K. Dadoo, Administrator, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, Admiral Thisara Samarsinghe, Commander of Sri Lankan Navy, Akhihiko Nakauchi, Chairman, Colombo Dockyard, Mangala P. B. Yapa, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Colombo Dockyard participated in flagging off ceremony of the Marine Vessel “Lakshadweep Sea” on 28 October, 2010 at Colombo Dockyard.

The 250 Passenger cum 100 Tonne Cargo Vessel is the second passenger vessel built by Colombo Dockyard for Government of India.

The first Vessel “Arabian Sea” was delivered on 15 January 2010.

This is first time in the history of Colombo Dockyard that they have manufactured passenger vessel for any overseas buyer. The value of the contract for each vessel is 18.3 million USD.

The vessel will provide connectivity to the people of Lakshadweep with main land of India by providing uninterrupted transport service to thousands of island commuters.

Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner said that Colombo Dockyard is an excellent example of achievements and prospects of India-Sri Lanka economic cooperation and engagement. Colombo Dockyard generates 60-70% of its revenues by doing business with Indian companies.

High Commissioner stressed that the Sri Lankan companies should leverage their strength by using the opportunities provided by the huge Indian market. He said that successful completion of the project undertaken by Colombo Dockyard is a perfect example of three way partnership between India, Sri Lanka and Japan.

The design of the vessel was developed by Indian company Larsen & Toubro, the vessel was fabricated at Sri Lanka and is powered by technology from Japan.