Desh forays into aluminium ship building in country

Pankaj Dastider CHITTAGONG, Nov 22: Desh Shipbuilding and Engineering has recently entered into the flourishing shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh with an aim to build specialised aluminium ships. Established in May 2008 under the umbrella of Prantik Group, the company has been engaged in developing infrastructure facilities to become a shipyard of international stature. Situated at Bhatiary of Sitakunda in Chittagong on an area of 26,000 square feet Desh Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (DSEL) has two weather-proof covered production sheds, each of 10,000 sft with state-of-the-art equipment. The shipyard is now completely ready to build aluminium ship of any size, which includes pilot vessel, offshore supply vessel, pleasure boat, cruise ship, patrol boat, ambulance ship and others within stipulated timeframe at the lowest cost. Where speed as well as economy is the prime aim of the shippers across the globe, DSEL is a pioneer in this sector in Bangladesh as there is no other company engaged in building such specialised ships. The shipyard has the PQR (procedure qualification record) approved by Bureau Veritus of France to follow the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) code and the AWS (American Welding Society) code, which will ensure a quality work of highest shipbuilding standard. Managing Director of the DSEL Golam Sarwar said welders and fitters working in the shipyard are mostly experienced in working for reputed shipyards in the Middle East for years. A consultant with 30 years' experience in aluminium shipbuilding in the Middle East and technical director with 20 years' experience in Singapore have also joined the company. "Besides, experienced local engineers, supervisors and technicians have made up a very sound technical team to take any job of any complexity," he said. "Currently we are looking for some government projects for Bangladesh Coast Guard, private leisure crafts and offshore crew boats for local owners," he said adding his yard is the only domestic shipbuilder to take part in the tenders of the Coast Guard to compete with international bidders from India, China and South Korea. "Bangladesh government has also provided extra facility to us as the only domestic bidder by offering 15 per cent additional price quotation as incentive to the local shipbuilder. This will help us quote a price higher than that of the foreign companies," he said. He said Prantik was the pioneer in building the first ocean going vessel, a barge - Prantik under class Germanischer Lloyd in 2002. Sources said currently the DSEL has four projects in hand. They include a 15-metre long motor yacht - Senorita Meghla - to be built with all aluminium interior which is expected to have a speed of 32-34 knots. It will be the first of its kind to be built in the country. The shipyard is also building a 17.50-metre crew boat cum OSV (offshore support vessel). Its hull is to be built by steel while the superstructure is planned to be of aluminium. This is for a local owner. They have also started conversion of a barge into self-propelled ship. The 77-metre barge has been imported from the Middle East and the converted ship will be used in coastal operation.