KARACHI: The steel cutting ceremony of 16 T Bollard Pull Pusher Tugs, being built for Pakistan Navy, was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works on Thursday.
The tug has an overall length of 21 metres with a displacement of 255 tons. It has maximum speed of 10 knots, propelled by two diesel engines. It is fitted with a very robust fendering arrangement for all-round tugging operations. It has also a unique fendering below waterline to ensure safe movements of submarines.
The ceremony was attended by Commander of Coast Vice Admiral Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani HI(M) who was the chief guest. He said it was indeed a loud manifestation of indigenisation policy being pursued by the Ministry of Defence production. He also appreciated Karachi Shipyard for their valuable contribution towards attaining the goal of self-reliance in the field of ship building.
He highlighted an important segment of marine industry i.e. fishing industry and said that KS&EW has full capacity to construct modern fishing trawlers/boats and urged provincial governments to revamp this area through potential of this solitary shipyard of the country.
Earlier, the MD of KS&EW, Rear Admiral Ather Saleem SI(M), in his welcome address thanked Pakistan Navy and MoDP for their continued support. He said that in the past KS&EW constructed various tugs ranging from 10 to 40 tons Bollard Pull capacities.
Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2019
