India: CSL Signs MoU for Repairs of UTL’s Ships

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL) and Lakshadweep Development Corporation Limited (LDCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, April 12, for repairs of ships owned by UTL .

 Honorable Shri G K Vasan, Union Minister for Shipping, Shri Hamdullah Sayeed, Honorable Member of Parliament, Lakshadweep, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha, IAS, Secretary (Shipping ), Shri M C Jauhari, IAS, JS (Shipping ), Shri Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Administrator, UTL, and Cmde K Subramaniam, CMD, CSL were present on the occasion.

The MOU was signed by Dr Vasantha Kumar, IAS, Collector cum Devpt Commissioner, UTL, Shri V C Pandey, IAS, MD, LDCL and Shri P Vinayakumar, Director (Technical), CSL.

UTL has 25 ships, which include 17 Passenger Vessels, 4 Cargo Vessels, 2 Tugs, 1 Tanker and an LPG cylinder carrier. These vessels act as the lifeline for the Lakshadweep Islands. All UTL vessels are presently being operated by LDCL.

CSL has been undertaking partial maintenance/drydock repairs of the most of UTL’s vessels since 1983. In order to overcome issues related to timely repairs of the ships and ensuring better availability to meet the requirements of the islanders, Union Minister of shipping, during his visit to Lakshadweep on 22 October 2012, had directed UTL, LDCL & CSL to discuss and reach an arrangement for turnkey repairs of these ships at CSL. The synergy of these three organizations as conceptualized by Minister for Shipping was formalized by way of an MOU.

The MoU aims at ensuring uninterrupted availability of these ships for the service of the islanders. As per the MOU, LDCL shall submit a tentative schedule for repairs of all their vessels by November every year to CSL, indicating the approximate schedule and repair duration of vessels in the ensuing year. Yard shall allocate tentative repair slots for these vessels to suit the survey requirements and the voyage schedules as indicated in the LDCL schedule. In addition to routine & dry dock repairs, CSL shall also attend to emergency/ afloat repairs to these vessels to meet the requirements of statutory authorities and classification societies.

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Cochin Shipyard Limited, April 12, 2013