Colombo Dockyard signs deal to build passenger vessels to India

Colombo Dockyard Plc riding a wave of success has outbid stiff competition from China, Thailand and Germany and has secured the contracts for the construction of two numbers     400 passenger cum 250 tonne cargo vessels for the Administration of Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India.

The contracts were signed recently in Kochi between owners representatives Dr. M.S. Sayed Ismail Koya Director, Port Shipping and Aviation of UTLA and Mangala P.B. Yapa, Managing Director and CEO of Colombo Dockyard Plc, in the presence of Shri Amar Nath IAS, Administrator UTLA as the Chief Guest, Dr. N. Vasantakumar IAS Collector and development Commissioner and in the midst of a large distinguished gathering.

These two new vessels will also be deployed to cater to the increased traffic en-route from the Main Land (Cochin, India) to UTL Islands, as well as in the inter island routes and the enhanced passenger capacity is expected to ease the movement of passengers especially during peak season.

The significance of this project is that, immediately a year after delivery of the history making Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep Sea, which were the first two passenger vessels that a Sri Lankan organisation built and delivered to India, the Government of India has placed yet another order with us.  We are indeed proud of the absolute confidence placed on Colombo Dockyard by the Government of India, counting on our over 37 years of experience and proven competencies, in awarding this prestigious contract.  

These being the second series of passenger vessels to be built by Colombo Dockyard, these vessels will be superior to the earlier two, incorporating the learning from the previous series; setting new benchmarks for passenger/cargo transportation used by the UTLA and will mark a significant milestone between the two nations.

However, these being passenger vessels, the shipyard will take extra stringent quality control and safety measures in order to ensure the vessel’s appropriateness in material and machinery.

During construction of these vessels, Consultants/ Surveyors from the Shipping Corporation of India, Directorate of Shipping of India, and Merchant Maritime Department will play an important role in Survey and Inspection. Colombo Dockyard being an ISO 9001:2008 certified organisation, with its own superior quality control and quality assurance procedures in place, these quality examinations will further fortify our quality assurance processes.   

The design of the vessel is developed by a world renowned ship design firm, GL Noble Denton of Norway which was previous known as Brevik Engineering, a ship designing firm which specialises in fully customising ship designs to meet exact requirements of the owners, meeting class rules of Lloyds Register of Shipping, Indian Register of Shipping and statutory rules applicable for a vessel of this type.

The vessel is powered by two Japanese made YANMAR main engines each developing a propulsive power of 1920 kW, driving two Swedish made BERG controllable pitch propellers with 3m diameter. This combination provides a high level of maneuverability, optimum efficiency and cost effective operation for the vessel, which will enable the owners to save thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance cost.

The accommodation spaces in this vessel consist of private space, office space, sanitary space, catering space and other spaces. The passengers will have different categories of accommodation. There will be 10 first class, 40 second class and 350 normal class passenger transportation facilities. These passenger compartments are fully air conditioned using an air conditioning system consisting of central air handling unit and refrigerating plant, designed on the basis of environment friendly refrigerant chilled water system.   

Well equipped wheelhouse shall provide excellent visibility of the horizon, where the Master and the bridge crew will have unobtrusive view right around the vessel for ease of navigability. Navigation and communication electronic equipment are predominately supplied by European and Japanese makers to increase reliability and to ensure uninterrupted spare part and service support during the life span of the vessel. The vessel so designed and equipped is a perfect blend of high tech and elegance and could be considered as one of the most eco-friendly vessels to be built by Colombo Dockyard during the recent past, which indeed is a positive feature considering the un-spoilt terrain of the Lakshadweep Administration which the vessels are to operate in.  

Due to the vessel’s slender outlines the vessel features very low fuel consumption and has outstanding maneuvering and sea keeping capabilities and shall have low noise and vibration levels which increases the comfort of the passengers and crew of the vessel. The vessel will be manned by a crew of 69 who will also be provided with comfortable and elegant living quarters matching the world standards available on a vessel of this class.  

Over the past three decades, Colombo Dockyard has built over 225 vessels for Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, Cyprus, Dubai, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, and Myanmar to various government and private clienteles. The fact that the Indian Government has placed its utmost confidence once again in Colombo Dockyard to build these passenger vessels, is a clear testimony of the maturity and the status that Colombo Dockyard, has achieved in the field of shipbuilding in the region. The contract signing for these new vessels with the Government of India will further strengthen the long and cordial relationship, the two countries have enjoyed over the past.