KARACHI: Commissioning ceremony of PMSS ZHOB built for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) on Thursday. Chief of Staff (Personnel) Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem attended the ceremony as the chief guest on the occasion.
This 600 Ton Maritime Patrol Vessel has been built in compliance with China Classification Society Rules. It has an overall length of 68.5 meters, a beam of 8.7 m and can achieve a maximum speed of 27 knots.
Admiral Aleen in his address said that it is yet another landmark project that speaks volumes about the evergreen friendship between Pakistan and China.
He said that the vessel will not only enhance the operational capability of PMSA, but it will also go a long way in protecting the national jurisdiction and rich natural resources of Pakistan’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), adding that it will play a vital role towards achieving self-reliance in Defence Production.
KS&EW Managing Director Rear Admiral Athar Saleem in his welcome address said that this project signifies the trust and confidence that government responses in us.
He said that construction of PMSS ZHOB has certainly enhanced our capabilities of indigenous construction of warships. He expressed that KS&EW is indebted to the support of Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Defence Production, PMSA and specially Pakistan Navy (PN).
The delivery protocol was signed between representatives of PMSA and KS&EW and the ship was handed over to PMSA. The commissioning ceremony was attended by high ranking officials federal government, Pakistan Navy, corporate sector and KS&EW.