Western Marine Shipyard launches Offshore Petrol Vessel for Kenya

Western Marine Shipyard (WMS) Thursday launched an Offshore Petrol Vessel (OPV) first of its kind built in Bangladesh, for Kenya, that ordered building the vessel via a Danish agent JGH Marine A/S, Denmark.

The 54.70 meter long vessel ‘Doria’ having a maximum speed of 35 knots was built under the supervision of International Classification Society “CLASS BV”, will be operated by Kenyan Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock & Agriculture, Blue Economy wing.

The vessel was launched at an impressive ceremony at the WMS shipyard at Coalgaon, Patiya, along the southern bank of river Karnaphuli.

The vessel is equipped with fully automatic, centrally controlled and electromagnetically compatible equipment with a helipad to facilitate the landing and takeoff of 5 tones helicopter.

JGH Marine ordered WMS to build the ship after it signed the deal with the Kenyan government in 2012 to supply the vessel, to be used in the maritime territory of the Kenya to protect the sea resources and to conduct rescue operation during natural calamities.

JGH Marine, A/S, Denmark CEO Niels Holstein was the guest of honour while Bangladesh Shipping Ministry Secretary Ashoke Madhab Roy, Bangladesh Navy Chittagong Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral M Abu Ashraf, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett, Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries, Blue Economy Principal Secretary Micheni Japhet Ntiba, Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mikael Hemniti Winther attended the ceremony as special guests.

WMS Managing Director Md Sakhawat Hossain, WMS Technical Director Mohammad Mobin and WMS Sohail Hasan also spoke on the handing over ceremony.

Class BV, Bangladesh Country Manager Harunur Rashid was also present in the occasion and handed over the CLASS certificate to the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Blue Economy and Western Marine Shipyard Ltd.
Niels Holstein expressed satisfaction over the quality of construction of the vessel and lauded the ship building capacity of the WMS.

Ashoke Madhab Roy assured to provide all sort of support to the shipbuilding Industry of Bangladesh.

Western Marine is currently engaged in building 35ships for Kenya, India, Norway, UAE and some government and private enterprises of Bangladesh.

Of 40 ships worth $150 million exported by Bangladesh over the last five years, WMS alone built and exported during the period. – See more at: http://www.observerbd.com/details.php…