The keel-laying ceremony of a 32 ton Bollard Pull Tug indigenously built for the Pakistan Navy was held at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) on Wednesday.
Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (r) Asif Yasin Malik was the chief guest on the occasion, says a Pakistan Navy press release.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest said in order to meet the contemporary challenges, growth plan of the armed forces had always been the top priority of the government. This also encompasses replacement of existing old ships and crafts with new ones for Pakistan Navy.
In this regard, he continued, our focal point for self-reliance and indigenisation is Karachi Shipyard.
He said this approach would not only ensure timely availability of required vessels for the Pakistan Navy but also go a long way in consolidating the shipbuilding capability of Karachi Shipyard. The chief guest further said in today’s commercial world, competition is fierce and only those can survive and flourish who meet the challenges of rapidly changing technologies with quality and commitment.
He said it was satisfying to note that Karachi Shipyard had embarked on the path of progress in line with the modern developments which would Inshaallah lead towards complete self-reliance in the field of shipbuilding.
Earlier in his welcome address Karachi Shipyard Managing Director Rear Admiral Hassan Nasir Shah highlighted the salient features of the tug under construction.
He apprised the audience that the tug has a 34 meter overall length with a displacement of 481 tons. It has a maximum speed of 12 knots and propelled by two diesel engines and two Azimuth thrusters.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior Naval officers and the engineers and technicians of Karachi Shipyard.
