U.S. Ambassador visits Western Marne Shipyard

Chittagong, 07 October 2012: The U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh H.E. Dan William Mozena has paid a goodwill visit to Western Marine Shipyard yesterday 06 Oct 2012 along with a delegation team of six members from the U.S. Embassy. Earlier the Ambassador visited the shipyard in May 2011.

The Ambassador traveled to the shipyard by Western Cruise, which is the only luxurious cruise ship in river Karnaphuli. The Ambassador praised the shipbuilding practice in Bangladesh & said that U.S. government shall do its best to uplift the industry. The Ambassador was surprised to learn that without any bilateral trade promotion Western Marine had purchased machinery worth of USD 4crore (USD 40mln) from U.S. makers for various shipbuilding projects. He emphasized that this market can grow further benefiting both the nations mutually. He even added that there is a huge demand for small ships in North America, which is exactly the type of foreign market that Bangladeshi shipyards are looking for.

To be mentioned Western Marine is currently building 13 nos of fishing trawlers. All these trawlers will be installed with U.S. brand Caterpillar main engine & genset. Main-engine & genset comprises 40% of a ship’s price.

The Shipyard Chairman Saiful Islam said that from this visit it could be expected that the bilateral trade between Bangladesh & U.S. will be further enhanced, “earlier Bangladesh mostly contributed in the U.S. Economy through export of ready-made garments but now we hope that we will be able to secure a market share in USA by exporting ships.”

Shipyard Managing Director Sakhawat Hossain said that, “we are the only IMS (Integrated Management System) certified company in Bangladesh having 3 international certificates for quality, environment, and health & safety.” He also said Bangladesh has competitive advantage in shipbuilding for lesser price & availability of skilled workers & shipbuilding experts in the country. “We are in negotiation for newbuilding of some ropax ferry & tugboats for Canada & North American owner as we have proved ourselves as a successful builder of ice class MPC ships & RoPax ferry.”

First Deep Sea Mid Water Fishing trawler launched by local shipyard

Chittagong, 05 October 2012: Western Fishers Shipyard Ltd in Chittagong has launched the first Deep Sea Mid Water fishing trawler ever built in Bangladesh on the 30th Sep 2012. Western Fishers Shipyard is a joint concern of Western Marine Shipyard & Fishers Shipyard. Western Fishers is the first shipyard in the country to have initiated new building of Mid Water Fishing Trawlers in Bangladesh. The design was from Iceland. The trawler will be able to cope with the rough Bay of Bengal and further deeper from the presence.

This is the first time modern fishing trawlers are being constructed in Bangladesh. A major part of our foreign currency earning comes from export of sea food. Previously such trawlers used to be imported mainly from China and Thailand spending millions of our hard earned foreign currency. Technological development and initiatives by shipyard like Western Fishers Shipyard will save these foreign currencies and contribute in national economy.

The ship launched is called FT Agro Food-1, is a 42m long ship with freezing capacity 300 tons of fish. The ship has a draft of 4.3m, with an engine power of 1850 BHP, generator power of 800 KW & pulling capacity 26 ton.

The managing director of the shipyard Mr. Sakhawat Hossain said that unlike other imported fishing trawlers in the country this ship has been custom made to operate in the rough weather of Bay of Bengal. FT Agro Food -1 is equipped with Anti roll-tank, Kaplan propeller, Kort nozzle, bulbous bow, powerful engine & bollard pull, which makes the vessel fit for fishing in the Bay of Bengal yet in monsoon period.

The chairman of the shipyard A. Rouf Chowdhury said that the trawler is having hi-tech refrigeration system like processing deck, slurry ice machine, chill water maker, blast freezer and store freezer which will maintain the fish fresh and best quality. Bangladesh will be able to export even better quality sea fish. By having order for building of such new trawler in WFSL will generate employment.

Western Marine Shipyard achieve certificate for OHS &

Chittagong, 02 October 2012: Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, the top shipbuilding company in Bangladesh, has achieved two separate certificates for Occupational Health & Safety & Environment at a seminar Monday (October 1st, 2012) at a city hotel.

The company has achieved OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health & Safety from Bureau Veritas (BV) and and ISO 14001 for Environment during the event. The certificates were handed over by Managing Director of BV Bangladesh, Mr. Golam Kibria to the yard management.

A seminar titled “The Role of Workplace Health & Safety to Gain Access in Global Markets” has jointly organized by GIZ, GmbH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and Western Marine Shipyard Limited (WMShL).

Honorable Minister for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prof. Dr. A. F. M. Ruhal Haque, M.P., has inaugurated the Seminar as Chief Guest.

WMShL is now the first shipyard in Bangladesh to acquire an internationally recognized certification in Occupational Health and Safety which increased the potential to compete in the global market. Due to the simple but highly effective measures introduced under this cooperation with the shipyard, the injury rate has dropped. The additional benefits for the company are reduction in medical costs, property damage, loss of working hours and increased worker’s morale.

The main objective of the seminar was focused on the strong positive correlation between good corporate responsibility and better business opportunity that has been proved through the successful Integrated Public-Private Partnership (iPPP) between MOHFW, GIZ and WMShLto improve the health and safety of shipyard workers and community members alike. With foreign governments being increasingly concerned about social and environmental responsibility of companies they cooperate with, this collaboration has increased the competitive edge of the shipyard on the international market.

Western Marine Shipyard Limited had launched Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policy on March 24, 2011 with the help of GIZ,GmbH & Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The event started with the opening speech by Mr. Olaf Handloegten, Country Director of GIZ where he quoted “Through this cooperation about 25000 people in the direct neighborhood of the shipyard receive primary health care services.” Then followed the presentation of Dr. Paul Rueckert, Team Leader, Priority Sector Health, GIZ about the collaboration.

Mr. Saiful Islam, Chairman, Western Marine Shipyard said, “Over the years, we have perfected our shipbuilding standard because we understand that no matter how skill our human resources are- in the end it is firmly established management system that puts everything in a synchronized motion that matters”

“In the first year of the partnership between WMShL, MoHFW and GIZ, I was quite skeptical. However, now I am fully convinced that it was a farsighted decision. I am satisfied because our investment together with the support of GIZ have resulted in a competitive advantage for our company and secured export orders from global market” was the remark made byMr. Sakhawat Hossain, Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyards in his speech.

The event was highlighted with the presence of bureaucrats and officials from the public & private sector, the development sector and the embassies. The special guests Md. HumayunKabir, Secretary Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Mr. M. Murtozaa Reza , Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; Mr. Mikail Shipar, Secretary in Charge, Ministry of Labour; K. H. Masud Siddiqui, Secretary, Ministry of Industries were also present.

Western Marine to build inland container ship for use of

Chittagong, 20 September 2012: Western Marine Thursday inaugurated the construction work of one 134 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) container vessel by laying a keel in its shipyard premises, Patiya.

This is the first time the company will build container ships for inland route (CPA-PICT). The ship will be constructed under German class Germanischer Lloyd (GL).

To this effect, Western Marine signed an agreement with GL for classification of this ship on September 6, 2012 in Germany. The deal was made at the largest shipbuilding exhibition ‘SMM 2012’ in Hamburg.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed attended in the keel laying ceremony as a chief guest and Danish Ambassador in Bangladesh H.E. Svend Olling as a Special Guest. The ship will be owned by Mir & Islam Enterprise, a private entrepreneur which was awarded a license for one container ship out of thirty-two similar licenses issued by the government recently.

This ship will be serving for the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (PICT) which Bangladesh government has developed in Dhaka to facilitate increased trade within the country. The ship will make a major contribution to the Bangladesh economy for port service enhancement and at the same time it will play a major role in reducing of traffic congestion in highways by transferring the mass imported goods by river. The first time container ships will be plying in our inland channels, which had never been experienced in before.

Statistics say that last year Chittagong port received 15 lakh TEUs of containers which is also growing by 20% per annum & it will reach an optimum level of 30 lakh in the coming years. Some 90 per cent of these goods are transferred to various destinations within the country either by rail or road. The 32 container ships of which licenses have been issued will be able to carry 2.5 lakh TEUs per year. According to the present momentum we will require at least 150 container ships to meet the growing volume of container received by the ports.

Till to date, goods from cargo ships were discharged through inland feeder vessels to various destinations in the country but containers are still being discharged in our sea ports and transferred by roads and highways. The initiative taken by the government of inland container terminal will reduce traffic jam in our highways.

The Chief Guest highly admired Western Marine’s capacity in building quality vessels & he even said high about the progress of Western Marine which he had been witnessing for past years and hoped that Bangladeshi yards will be dominating globally very soon.

Shipyard MD Sakhawat Hossain said traffic congestion in highways will drop for introducing such container ships in our river channels, and government should prevent import of second hand ships from abroad because such ships are hazardous to environment & unsafe. In the other hand ships being built in local yard are built under class & according to the rules of Department of Shipping.

Chairman Saiful Islam said “Bangladesh government has issued thirty-two licenses for such vessel, and Western Marine has ensured the new construction of five of these vessels”. He emphasized more saying these ships will add value to the economy by reducing traffic congestion in the country which is a major crisis to us in today’s date.

Scan Machinery launchs new factory in Chittagong

Chittagong, 19 September 2012: Scan Machinery BD ltd has launched a new factory at Ichanagar, Karnaphuli, Chittagong today (Sept 19, 2012) to offer a wide range of hydraulic equipments for shipbuilding companies.

Scan Machinery is a joint venture of Western Fishers Ltd, a sister concern of Western Marine Shipyeard, Danish origin fishing and marine equipment supplier DanSea and AS Scan, another Danish based high quality solutions provider for Maritime Industry.

Chittagong City Corporation mayor M Manjur Alam inaugurated the factory as chief guest. Honorable Ambassador of Denmark, his Excellency Mr. Svend Olling was present as a special guest and the ceremony was presided over by the Chairman of Western Marine Shipyard Limited and Director of Scan Machinery, Mr. Md. Saiful Islam.

The new company will be offering a wide product line, ranging from steering gears to winches, net drums, trawl doors to propellers, nozzles and other hydraulic equipments for shipbuilding companies.

This company will ensure onboard installation and after-sales-service which mean that Bangladeshi vessel operators and shipbuilders will get full service from Chittagong, instead to outsource all hydraulic tasks overseas. It will save lot of foreign currency for Bangladesh and will create job opportunity for its people.

Scan Machinery will be headed by Mr. A. Rouf Chowdhury (WFSL) as chairman and Mr. Lars Jensen (DanSea) as managing director. On the technical side director Mr. Karsten Olesen (AS Scan) together with Danish chief technical advisor Mr. Claus Larsen (AS Scan) will head overall engineering, and day-to-day supervision and training of the staff in Chittagong.

Lars Jensen said, “Scan Machinery has already supplied its machinery and deck handling equipment to Bangladeshi fishing trawler operators and presently working on several projects for new fishing trawlers which are under construction for new license holders, but is also expected to make an impact towards the increasing merchant vessels being built and supplied from Bangladesh.”

“With this new company in line, supported by Danida’s Business Partnership Programme, Denmark is increasing its position as leading supplier and partner to the Bangladeshi Maritime Industry. However, the objective of Scan Machinery BD Ltd. is not to limit ourselves to Bangladesh, but in the near future it will secure export orders to both Asian and European countries” Jensen added.

For the last several decades, Danish company AS Scan has been providing high quality solutions for the Maritime Industry around the World. And now they have expanded their business through a joint venture partnership with Western Fishers Shipyard and DanSea (Denmark/Thailand). It is mentionable that in Bangladesh it has another Joint Venture company named ‘SRL Cosmos Trawl Ltd’ to produce modern fishing gear and trawl for ocean going trawler.

WMShL creates milestones in maritime exhibition SMM

Chittagong, 10 September 2012: Western Marine Shipyard (WMShL), the leading shipyard of Bangladesh has received two certificates from the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) for environment and occupational health & safety. The certificates are ISO 14001:2004 & BS OHSAS 18001:2007. Western Marine is the first shipyard in the country to receive such certificates which ensures the integrated management system (IMS) of the yard.

The certificates were handed over by BV EVP, Managing Director/marine & offshore division Mr. Benard Anne which were received by the Managing Director & Technical Director of the yard Sakhawat Hossain & Arifur Rahman Khan. This certificate handing over ceremony took place in 4 day long maritime exhibition in Hamburg, SMM 2012 (4-7 Sep). The exhibition is the largest maritime exhibition that takes place once in every two years, and Western Marine was a participant in the exhibition as an exhibitor. Lars Brenneke, Managing Director of East Wind & WMShL representatives in the European market were present in the event.

Besides during the exhibition the yard has also signed a contract with German classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) for certifying the 100th keel of the shipyard. This has inaugurated a new construction of a 60 ton BP tug boat which will be added in the fleet of Chittagong port as their highest capacity tug. And through this contract signing GL will be supervising the construction of this tug in WMShL.

Western Marine became widely known in the European market from export of eight ice class ships to the German ship owner, Grona Shipping. The ships having the capacity of 5200DWT are plying in the Baltic sea in today’s date. The yard will be delivering one 50m RoPax ferry to a Danish owner Hundested-Roervig Faergefart very soon & expecting for more shipbuilding orders from the European market.

Western Marine delivers two double hull tankers to local

Chittagong, 30 August 2012: Country’s leading shipbuilder New Western Marine Shipbuilders Ltd has handed over two double hull tankers to Carbon Holdings & Coastal Gas Ltd. The tankers named MT Pride of Shah Ali & MT Pride of Shah Jalal will be used to transport fuel oil across the country.

The keel laying ceremony of these tankers were held last year. Each tanker is 63.80 meter long with capacity of 1,350 DWT. The vessels were built under the supervision of German classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL).

These tankers would play a vital role in elimination of power crisis in Bangladesh as the tankers would be used to carry fuel safely & cost-effectively in various fuel generated power plant sites, which would add a great value to the economy. As per MARPOL regulation all tankers in the world must be double hull from 2015. This is to avoid spillage of oil from major accident which may hamper marine life badly. The tankers built by Western Marine complies the latest compliances. They are environment friendly, class approved & cost effective than any brand new ships built abroad.

It is to be mentioned that secondhand ships brought from abroad are not double hulled. In case of any major destruction these ships might cause a severe calamity from oil spillage. Study says in River Karnaphuli at-least 10 lac people will be affected & might suffer from deadly diseases if a single hulled tanker gets wrecked in the river. But in the other hand double hulled tankers has lesser chances of such disaster.

The ships were inaugurated by Mr. Abubakar Siddique, the chairman (Secretary in-charge) of Bangladesh Petroleum Corp (BPC) as the Chief Guest. Amongst others Mr. Saraf Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary & Director (Finance) and Mr. Mizanur Rahman managing director of Jamuna oil company were present as special guests. The MD of NCC Bank Limited Mr. Mohammed Nurul Amin represented as the financer of the whole project. The ships were inaugurated floating near Western Marine Shipyard.

Western Marine Chairman, Md. Saiful Islam emphasized saying new built tankers in Bangladesh are saving our hard earned foreign currency & it has created an opportunity for thousands of skilled & semi skilled workers in the country.

Addressing the ceremony the shipyard MD Sakhawat Hossain said that Bangladesh needs more tankers to transport oil through river routes to reduce traffic congestion on roads.

Managing Director of Carbon Holdings, Dr. Ezazur Rahman hoped that this project will prove to be very successful in the near future.

The Chief Guest, BPC Chairman mentioned that Western Marine is contributing to the nation through newbuilding of such tankers locally.

Therefore, tanker owners should buy ships locally from shipyard like Western Marine which are class approved and complies latest IMO guidelines (double hull), rather procuring unsafe secondhand ships from abroad.

New Western Marine lays keels of two port

Chittagong, 29 June 2012: New Western Marine Ship Builders Ltd has laid keels of 1X 60 Ton BP tugboat and 1X1000MT carrying capacity water supply vessel in the shipyard premises at Patiya in Chittagong yesterday, 28 June 2012

This project is a milestone for the shipyard because Western Marine has made its century by laying the 100th keel of this shipyard.

Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed was present as chief guest at the keel laying ceremony. High officials of CPA including the members of the port were present during the keel laying ceremony. IFIC Bank & AB Bank will be the financial partner of Western Marine for this project.

The shipyard won this contract by participating in an international tender as the lowest bidder. CPA chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin and managing director of the shipyard Mr. Sakhawat Hossain on behalf of their respective organization signed contract for building the new vessels at Bandar Bhaban in the city on June 5, 2012. The contract price of this project is BDT 53 core.

This new tugboat will be having an engine power of 4500BHP & 60BP, which will be the strongest tug in the country & most importantly it will be a locally built ship.

It will be built under class GL. Earlier the highest capacity tug was 3200 BHP engine powered having 38 ton BP. Such ships used to be imported but Western Marine’s expertise & proficiency in building quality vessels has enhanced them in achieving this order.

The other vessel which is a Water Supply Vessel, will be the largest vessel of its kind to be added in the fleet of Chittagong Port, having a carrying capacity of 1000mt fresh water to the merchant ships in the outer anchorage. It will be built under class Bureau Veritas.

The chairman of Western Marine, Mr. Saiful Islam said, “It is our pride that we are contributing to our economy by preventing import of vessels. Newbuilding of such high power tugboat locally is a result of our quality work & international standard shipbuilding practice.” “Our ports are our major sources driving the nation forward & their enhancement shall advance us further, he said.

Western Marine Managing Director Mr Sakhawat Hossain applauded saying that CPA is the greatest business associate of Western Marine & the tugboat Western Marine will be building will be remembered as a significant achievement of Bangladesh shipbuilding industry for its quality workmanship.

Port Chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin said, “These ships are our national assets. Their quality & proper maintenance in the long run will enhance port capacity in the future.

Western Marine has built ships of various types for Chittagong port in the past. All these vessels are serving well till today.

New Western Marine Shipbuilders to build two ships for CPA

Chittagong, 03 June 2012: New Western Marine Shipbuilders (NWMS), a sister concern of Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, today, June 3, 2012, signed an agreement with Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) for building a 60 ton BP Tugboat and another 1000DWT Water Supply Vessel.

CPA chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed and managing director of the (NWMSL) Mr. Sakhawat Hossain signed the contract on behalf of their respective organizations. Officials of CPA and Western Marine were present during the signing ceremony held in Board Room of CPA.

Western Marine Shipyard has built ships of various types for Chittagong port in the past. All these vessels are serving well till today.

The shipyard won this contract by participating in an international tender as the lowest bidder. The contract price of this project is BDT 53 core. This new tugboat will be having an engine power of 4500BHP & 60BP, which will be the strongest tug in the country & most importantly it will be a locally built ship.

Such ships used to be imported but Western Marine’s expertise & proficiency in building quality vessels has enhanced them in achieving this order. The other vessel which is a Water Supply Vessel, will be the largest vessel of its kind to be added in the fleet of Chittagong Port, having a carrying capacity of 1000mt fresh water to the merchant ships in the outer anchorage.

The Chairman of Western Marine, Mr. Saiful Islam said, “It is our pride that we are contributing in capacity build up of our ports by building ships for their use. Our ports are our major sources driving the nation forward & their enhancement shall advance us further.”

The MD Mr. Hossain applauded saying that CPA is the greatest business associate of Western Marine as the yard has built ships for them in the past & signing this contract has made the tie even stronger.

Port Chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin said, “These ships are our national assets. Their quality & proper maintenance in the long run will enhance port capacity in the future.”

Western Marine has built RORO ferry for Danish

Chittagong, 06 May 2012: Western Marine Shipyard — the country’s top shipbuilder– has built ‘RORO’ ferry for Denmark .

The company has built the ferry to carry passengers at a cost of more than BDT 36 crore or 360 million on Saturday at its yard. The ship named ‘ISEF JORD’ will be owned by Danish ferry operator Hundested Rorvig Faergefart.

The project of building RORO ferry has been launched under the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). To this effect, Western Marine signed an agreement with Hundested Rorvig Faergefart, Denmark, for building the 50M ferry on February, 2011.

Denmark has a huge global fame in building the best quality ferries. In-fact, several inland ferries being used in Bangladesh were imported from Denmark.

But now time has changed as Bangladesh is going to export ferries to Denmark. So, with the launch of the project, new chapter for the shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh has just begun.

Western Marine was nominated for this project by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), which is known for maintaining & following the stringent maritime safety rule in the world. The ferry is expected to be handed over to the owner on June 2012.