Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the simultaneous launching of 5 new vessels at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
- The vessels were launched by five senior-most women employees of CSL.
Key points
i.Sarbananda Sonowal launched 3 Floating Border Outposts for the Border Security Force and 2 Fully Electric Autonomous Ferries for the ASKO Maritime AS, Norway, which are amongst the world’s first Autonomous Ferries.
ii.He also inaugurated SMRITI, a New Model Room to foster an understanding of its history and relevance to India’s Shipbuilding Industry.
iii.A Coffee Table Book based on CSL’s highly recognized CSR (Corporate social responsibility) initiatives was also released by the Minister.
Achievement of CSL:
i.First indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), INS (Indian Naval Ship) Vikrant which is in the second sea trial was built at CSL.
ii.The IAC is the largest warship built in the country having a displacement of about 40,000 tonnes. Along with several other efficient features, the ship uses advanced software to get a complete 3D view of the comparts of the ship.
iii.The IAF is powered by 4 gas turbines in a COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) propulsion configuration and is also equipped with numerous high-end technologies including network-centric distributed data processing & control systems, intricate Aviation Facility Complex, state of the art weapons and sensors.
–New Radars and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Inaugurated
i.Sarbananda Sonowal has also launched new Radars and VTMS of Cochin Port Trust for enhancing the safety of navigation in the port by monitoring and regulating the shipping movements.
ii.VTMS enhances security to the port waters by detecting and tracking all crafts moving in the port.
iii.VTMS was commissioned in 2009 at CSL which is now upgraded for better safety operations with 2 radars, 1 Automatic Identification System (AIS) base stations, 3 Very High Frequency (VHF) radios with associated software and hardware installed at Rs 5.38 crores.
Recent Related News:
Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has commissioned the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) 7th Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), ‘Vigraha’ at the Chennai Port. The OPV will be placed at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways:
Union Minister – Sarbananda Sonowal
Minister of State – Shripad Yesso Naik (North Goa, Goa), Shantanu Thakur (Bangaon, West Bengal)
