KARACHI: The launching ceremony of 32-tonne Bollard Pull (BP) tug PNT Niaz was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on Tuesday.

Rear Admiral Moazzam Ijaz Ilyas, Commander Coastal Command (COMCOAST), the chief guest on the occasion, appreciated Pakistan Navy and KSEW for their valuable contribution towards attaining the goal of self-reliance in shipbuilding.

PNT Niaz is the third tug of the same series for Pakistan Navy being indigenously constructed by Karachi Shipyard.

“Pakistan Navy is continuously entrusting Karachi Shipyard with new projects and the latest in the line are 2x frigates, which are likely to be signed soon,” he said.

While highlighting the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that naval headquarters was pursuing the establishment of a new shipyard at Gwadar, which had already been approved by the federal government.

Earlier, MD KSEW Rear Admiral Ather Saleem in his welcome address said that Karachi Shipyard was fully cognizant and completely aligned with the goals set forth by the government and Pakistan Navy of pursuing self-reliance in the defence ship-building industry.

“This 32-tonne Bollard Pull (BP) tug is a testimony of our commitment to this daunting challenge,” he said. While highlighting their current production activities, he said that presently 6x shipbuilding projects were simultaneously being constructed at KSEW.

KSEW has so far constructed 24 tugboats ranging from 10 to 40 tonnes BP for its customers.

PNT Niaz has an overall length of 34 metres with displacement of 481 tonnes and a maximum speed of 12 knots.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2018