WMS to export two more vessels to Germany

Our Correspondent CHITTAGONG, December 26: Western Marine Shipyard (WMS) has launched two ocean-going vessels for exporting to an European country, company sources said. Launching of the two vessels EMSWATER and EMSFLOW was carried out on December 23 and 25 respectively, with the total capacity of 10,400 DWT (dead weight tonnage). These two vessels were the fourth pair of vessels in the series of 12 vessels and will be handed over to the Grona Shipping GmbH of Germany in February 2012. The previous three pairs of vessels were delivered to the company in December 2010, March 2011 and July 2011, which created a history in the Bangladesh ship building industry. Company officials said the WMS has made a record in the ship building industry in the country by constructing eight sister vessels having a total tonnage of 41,600 DWT within the period of one year. It is believed that such vessels were built in the fastest possible time in Bangladesh. The Western Marine struck an agreement with Grona Shipping of Germany in January 2008 for building 12 vessels of 5200 DWT each. Each of the vessels is worth more than Tk 800 million, officials said. Since then the shipyard has been known all over the world as a shipyard of international standard that achieved one of the highest foreign projects. Saiful Islam, chairman, Shakhawat Hossain, MD and senior officials of the Western Marine Shipyard were present during the launching of the vessels. "I feel happy for such a success. I thank the concerned persons who have contributed in making this project successful," Islam said on the launching ceremony. Western Marine MD Shakhawat Hossain thanked the government for extending all-out support and taking special care that helped grow further the burgeoning shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh.