A simple but impressive Keel Laying ceremony for the second Small Tanker Cum Utility Ship (STUS) was held at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on Monday. Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking civil and military officials, says a press release of the ISPR (Navy) here. It said the two ships of this type were being simultaneously built at KSEW for Pakistan Navy and would be completed by next year.
These vessels, as the name suggests, will be multipurpose ships to perform many functions like replenishment at sea, support to PN fleet for marine operations such as mine laying, torpedo recovery, search and rescue activities and logistic support to coastal stations.
These would be 47-metre long ships with 1,600 tons displacement, it was further pointed out. The ships will be capable of carrying helicopter and equipped with steer-able rudder propellers along with bow thrusters for controlled positioning, modern navigation and communication system necessary for its operations.
On the occasion, the chief guest praised the remarkable turn around of Karachi Shipyard and was deeply impressed by seeing all departments buzzing with activity. He appreciated the quality of work, skills and hard work of workers under the leadership of its Managing Director.
The Minister assured that Ministry of Defence Production and Pakistan Navy would continue to support Karachi Shipyard as a strategic industry, as part of its policies of self-reliance and indigenisation.
He emphasised upon all to continue their hard work and put up consistent efforts to meet the current and future challenges, head on. Earlier, KSEW Managing Director Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao, in his welcome address thanked the Ministry of Defence Production and Pakistan Navy for its all out support. He specially thanked the minister for his keen personal interest and support.
Admiral Rao stated that by the grace of Almighty Allah, Karachi Shipyard and its workforce was now fully rejuvenated and were fully capable, ready and committed to undertake upcoming challenging tasks.
He said the Shipyard had come back to life and was progressing rapidly to maximise its output and thus contribute in developing national economy and self-reliance in their field of shipbuilding. Admiral Rao thanked Pakistan Navy for reposing trust in KSEW's capabilities, for undertaking all future ships and submarine building requirements of Pakistan Navy.
He further stated that KSEW was working on using its potential to earn foreign exchange through foreign orders as well. In this regard, interaction with some private shipyards of the gulf and a German company has been very encouraging.
"We have already received basic design specification etc for new shipbuilding orders from them," Admiral Roa further remarked. "Right now, we are negotiating costs and modalities with some of them, while preparing our response for some others. We are very hopeful of positive outcome very soon," he added.