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.

Western Marine launches RORO ferry for Danish owner

Chittagong, 05 May 2012: Western Marine Shipyard has launched ISEF JORD, a Danish RORO Passenger Ferry today, on 05 May 2012 at noon12PM.

The ship will owned by Danish ferry operator Hundested Rorvig Faergefart. This newbuilding project is under the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). Western Marine went into agreement with Hundested Rorvig Faergefart, Denmark for building the 50M ferry on February 2011. The ship is worth more than BDT 36 crore.

Denmark has a huge global fame in building the best quality ferries, in-fact several inland ferries in Bangladesh were imported from Denmark once. Today after decades the time has changed, Bangladesh will be exporting ferries to Denmark. Therefore this will be the beginning of a new chapter in the shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh. Western Marine was nominated for this newbuilding order by 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 her owner on June 2012.

Western Fishers lays keel for three more deep sea fishing trawlers

Chittagong, 02 May 2012: Western Fishers Shipyard has inaugurated the construction work of more three fishing trawlers today at the yard premises in Kolagaon, Patiya through a keel laying ceremony. Western Fishers Shipyard Ltd is a JV between Western Marine Shipyard and Fishers Shipyard Limited. These three ships will be owned by Alliance Deep Sea Fishing Ltd, a concern of Alliance Group.

The 41m trawlers are being built at cost of BDT 20core each. This is the first time modern fishing trawlers are being constructed in Bangladesh. Last month Western Fishers had laid keels of six other fishing trawlers. Their design was purchased from Iceland. “Caterpillar” brand main engine & generators will be used in these trawlers. They will be capable of mid-sea trawling & will be able to cope with the rough Bay of Bengal where our fishing trawlers operate. The trawlers will be built under the French classification society Bureau Veritas.

In the past 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 Marine & Fishers Shipyard will save these foreign currencies and contribute in national economy.

During the ceremony the Managing Director of Alliance Group Mr. Syed Mohammad Abu Mohsin, DMD of Pubali Bank Ltd Mr. Shafiul Alam Khan Chy. was present amongst others. They admired the initiative taken by Western Fishers for building fishing trawlers and hoped the shipyard’s innovation will further benefit the economy in the coming days.

Shipyard MD, Engr. Sakhawat Hossain explained the newbuilding of such trawlers are possible in Bangladesh today. The quality of these trawlers will be no less than other similar vessels built in oversees shipyard. Moreover, he said local ship owners should come ahead for building ships locally instead of placing the order abroad for cost effectiveness.

The yard Chairman Saiful Islam said this is a new chapter we have started. Newbuilding of fishing trawlers are highly technical and complicated, it requires set of machineries to operate in the deep sea. Thus it is a great success we have achieved by laying the keels of these trawlers.

The financial partners for this project is Pubali Bank, UCBL Bank & Dhaka Bank were present amongst others in the ceremony.

Western Fishers lays keel for six deep sea fishing

Chittagong, April 19, 2012: Western Fishers Shipyard has inaugurated the construction work of six fishing trawlers today at the yard premises in Kolagaon, Patiya. Western Fishers Shipyard Ltd is a JV between Western Marine Shipyard and Fishers Shipyard Limited. Out of the six ships four ships will be owned by JK Group , 2x41m fishing trawlers and 2×42 m fishing trawlers .The rest two ships’ owner is QNS Group, 2x41m fishing trawlers.

The 41m ships are being built at cost of BDT 23 core each and 42m at BDT 28 core each. This is the first time modern fishing trawlers will be constructed in Bangladesh. Their design was purchased from Iceland. These trawlers are capable of mid-sea trawling and sustainable in sea state-4; they will be built to cope with the rough Bay of Bengal where our fishing trawlers operate. The trawlers will be built under the French classification society Bureau Veritas.

In the past 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 Marine & Fishers Shipyard will save these foreign currencies and contribute in national economy.

During the ceremony Principal Officer of Mercantile Marine dept. of Bangladesh Capt. Habibur Rahman was present as chief guest. He admired the initiative taken by Western Fishers for building fishing trawlers and hoped the shipyard’s innovation will further benefit the economy in the coming days.

Shipyard MD, Engr. Sakhawat Hossain explained the newbuilding of such trawlers are possible in Bangladesh today. The quality of these trawlers will be no less than other similar vessels built in oversees shipyard. Moreover, he said local ship owners should come ahead for building ships locally instead of placing the order abroad for cost effectiveness.

The yard Chairman Saiful Islam said this is a new chapter we have started. Newbuilding of fishing trawlers are highly technical and complicated, it requires set of machineries to operate in the deep sea. Thus it is a great success we have achieved by laying the keels of these trawlers. The financial partners for this project including UCBL Bank were present amongst others in the ceremony.

Western Marine delivers more ships to German

Chittagong, March 21, 2012: Bangladesh’s leading Shipbuilding Company Western Marine Shipyard Limited has delivered two more ships to German on Wednesday, setting another milestone in the country’s shipbuilding industry.

The delivery is the fourth pair of ice class ships built by the Western Marine for the German buyer Grona Shipping. This project is believed to be the highest in value in Bangladesh shipbuilding industry.

“This is the first time that a Bangladeshi shipyard hands over six ships in a row to a single owner,” said Western Marine Chairman Saiful Islam at the handing over ceremony at Chittagong Boat Club, Patenga.

By exporting the fourth pair of ship, the country will be benefitted with an inflow of large amount of foreign currency, which is needed right now to offset its shortage currently faced by the banks, he said.

The commerce minister G M Quader attended as the chief guest at the delivery function. The EPB vice chairman Subhashish Bose, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Alphons Hennekens, German deputy head of mission Dr. Ralf Reusch, FBCCI president A K Azad and Daily Star editor, Mahfuz Anam were present as special guests.

Managing director of Bank Asia Mehmood Husain and Olaf Mallow from Commerzbank attended the event as financial partners to the shipyard. Ship owner Markku Vedder, shipyard representatives of East Wind Hamburg and classification society Germanischer Lloyd, was also present.

Addressing the program, Sakhawat Hossain, managing director of Western Marine Shipyard, said the vessels which completed sea trial successfully are approved by Germanischer Lloyd.

He said, “We will make our efforts best further in future to perform well by building more quality ships for the entire world. This event has marked another significant achievement for a Bangladeshi shipyard amongst the shipbuilding countries of the world.”

Mr. A K Azad mentioned in his address that this industry is so much potential that it requires proper govt nursing for its continuity in the long run & he desired a cash incentive of 10% on export for the industry. GM Quader mentioned that shipbuilding is an opportune industry & he said the govt will provide all kind of support to it for the betterment nation.

The EMSWATER & EMSFLOW are 5200 DWT MPC ships certified as E3 ice-class vessels which mean it is designed & equipped to sustain in cryogenic weather condition. Around 1500 tonnes of ice-class steel were fabricated by using 60 tonnes of welding electrodes to build each ship while 23 kilometres of marine cables and 24,000 litres of paints were used for her skin protection. For building these ships Bank Asia provided a credit facility of BDT160cr and all the ships were insured by Prime Insurance Co. Ltd.

Western Marine has emerged as a top local ship exporter in recent years, leading to keep major contribution to the national revenue.

Currently, the shipyard holds new building projects worth millions of money. They are building 5 X 4100 DWT ice-class container vessels for Stella Shipping, Denmark; 1 X RORO ferry for a Danish owner.

Numerous ships for port use, fishing trawlers, tankers, cargo carriers for inland and coastal use are in progress. The outstanding shipbuilding by the Western Marine has helped it achieve a global reputation at a very short period, ensuring international contracts and local orders to meet the demand for inland vessels, in both public and private sector.

Western Marine to deliver 4th pair of ice class ships to German

Chittagong, March 20, 2012: Bangladesh’s leading shipbuilding company Western Marine Shipyard Limited is set to deliver two more ships to German today (Wednesday, 21 Mar 2012), setting another milestone in the country’s shipbuilding industry.

The delivery would be the fourth pair of ice class ships built by the Western Marine for the German buyer Grona Shipping.

The commerce minister G M Quader is expected to be present as the chief guest at the delivery function to be held at the Chittagong Boat Club, Patenga.

The EPB vice chairman Subhashish Bose, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Alphons Hennekens, German deputy head of mission Dr. Ralf Reusch, FBCCI president A K Azad and Daily Star editor, Mahfuz Anam will be present as special guests.

Managing director of Bank Asia Mehmood Husain and Olaf Mallow from Commerzbank will also attend the event as financial partners to the shipyard. Ship owner Markku Vedder, shipyard representatives of East Wind Hamburg and classification society Germanischer Lloyd, will be present.

Western Marine expects that this event will mark another significant achievement for a Bangladeshi shipyard amongst the shipbuilding countries of the world.

The EMSWATER & EMSFLOW are 5200 DWT MPC ships certified as E3 ice-class vessels which mean it is designed and equipped to sustain in cryogenic weather condition.

Around 1500 tonnes of ice-class steel were fabricated by using 60 tonnes of welding electrodes to build each ship while 23 kilometres of marine cables and 24,000 litres of paints were used for its skin protection.

Western Marine has emerged as a top local ship exporter in recent years, leading to keep major contribution to the national revenue.

Currently, the shipyard holds new building projects worth millions of money. They are building 5 X 4100 DWT ice-class container vessels for Stella Shipping, Denmark; 1 X RORO ferry for a Danish owner.

Numerous ships for port use, fishing trawlers, tankers, cargo carriers for inland and coastal use are in progress. The outstanding shipbuilding by the Western Marine has helped it achieve a global reputation at a very short period, ensuring international contracts and local orders to meet the demand for inland vessels, in both public and private sector.

Bangladesh & Danish joint venture company “Scan Machinery BD Ltd.” A New company set up to make hydraulic machinery for

Chittagong, March 06, 2012: Bangladesh is set to start making hydraulic machinery for vessels, including ships, in a bid to reduce import dependence and to export in future.

Local firm Western Fishers Shipyard Ltd (WFSL) and its Danish partners DanSea and AS Scan inked a deal in this regard Monday (March 05, 2012), marking the formation of a joint venture — Scan Machinery BD Ltd.

A Rouf Chowdhury, chairman of WFSL and Lars Jensen of DanSea signing the deal on behalf of own organization. There also present Danish Ambassador Svend Olling, Director of Scan Machinery Mr. Amanullah Chy, Managing Director of Western Marine Shipyard & Western Fishers Shipyard Mr. Md Sakhawat Hossain, Chairman of Western Marine Shipyard & Director of Western Fishers Shipyard Mr. Saiful Islam, Mr. Karsten Olesen, Mr. Claus Larsen and Director of sea Resource Group (Coordination) Major (Ret.) Fatah.

The new company will make hydraulic machinery ranging from steering gears to winches, net drums, propellers and nozzles.

“With the foundation of Scan Machinery BD Ltd, Bangladeshi vessel operators and shipbuilders can in future be serviced from Karnaphuli in Chittagong instead of outsourcing all hydraulic tasks overseas,” said a press statement yesterday.

A Rouf Chowdhury, chairman of WFSL, will also head the new company as its chairman. Lars Jensen of DanSea is the managing director of the 50:50 joint ventures. 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.

Supported by Danish International Development Agency’s business partnership programme, the company aims to supply hydraulic systems to vessels including deep-sea fishing trawlers, oil tankers, ferries and domestic and export oriented ships.

Currently builders of ships and other vessels depend on importing hydraulic systems from Europe as there is no manufacturing facility in Bangladesh.

The company will provide onboard installation and after-sales services, said the statement. Scan Machinery looks to contribute to merchant vessels building in Bangladesh for supplying abroad, said its MD Lars Jensen. The company aims to begin supplying hydraulic systems to vessels builders by July this year, said Md Sakhawat Hossain, managing director of Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, a partner WFSL. “We don’t want to limit ourselves to Bangladesh only. In future, we want to secure export orders not only from Asian market and but also from Europe,” said Hossain. The company will initially invest $1 million, he said.

Western Marine hands over luxury passenger craft “Western Cruise” to Chittagong Boat Club

Chittagong 29 January 2012: Western Marine Group has handed over one catamaran type passenger ship named ‘Western Cruise’ to Chittagong Boat Club (CBC) today, 29 January 2012. The ship was handed over to the Chief Guest of the event Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed, Chief of the Naval Staff through a mezban festive, a traditional celebration in Chittagong. Begum Shabnam Ahmed, the President of Bangladesh Naval Family Welfare Association was the Special Guest in the event. Further various naval officers including the Naval COMCHIT Cdre M Nizamuddin Ahmed, boat club members, heads of distinguished government bodies & private organizations were present amongst others.

A catamaran is a specially designed luxury passenger carrier with twin hull, much safer than any other passenger ship. “Western Cruise” has been designed to carry 200 passengers, which will be used for river cruising in the Karnaphuli. This ship is the first of its kind ever built by a Bangladeshi shipyard.

Western Marine Managing Director Sakhawat Hossain said the launching of this cruise boat is a milestone for Chittagong city, because for the first time general people will get to see the developments & renowned entities in both side of Karnaphuli where the ship will cruise.

The Chairman of Western Marine Services Capt Sohail Hasan expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh Navy for being associated with the boat club through this venture.

The Chairman of Western Marine Shipyard Mr. Saiful Islam said Western Marine has again created a history by delivering an inland ship which carries so much importance for being associated with CBC.

Finally the Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Zahir said “this luxury cruise is a proud possession of CBC”.

Western Marine built this ship at a cost of Tk 8 crore approximate. The ship is 31.5M long & 8.4M wide. She can sail at a speed of 12 knots powered by 2X400HP engines. It will cruise in the belt of Karnaphuli River everyday making general people accustomed with the wonders which lie along Karnaphuli.

Western Cruise is expected to operate commercially in the 1st week of February 2012 having the harbor station at Chittagong Boat Club. Initially the management has planned for two trips, one in the afternoon (4:30PM-6:30PM) and another at night (7:30PM-9:30PM). During cruising the passengers can enjoy several amusements including dinning, music, magic & many more with a kids’ corner. The ship could also be hired for occasions like conference, get together, etc.

The management of Western Marine believes that this cruise will enlighten the tourists & even the local people of Chittagong with the developments in the port city which lies along both the sides of Karnaphuli.

Western Marine to handover passenger ship to Chittagong Boat Club

Chittagong 28 January 2012: Western Marine Group—the country’s leading shipbuilding company— will deliver a passenger ship to the Chittagong Boat Club on January 29.

The catamaran type passenger ship named ‘Western Cruise’, which costs around Tk 8.0 crore, has the carrying capacity of 200 passengers. The ship, which will be used for river cruising in the Karnaphuli, is the first of its kind ever built by a Bangladeshi shipyard.

A catamaran is a specially designed luxury passenger carrier with twin hull, much safer than any other passenger ship.

Dredger ‘KHANAK’ with hopper capacity of 2500m3 sank in the Karnaphuly River after head on head collision with an inbound foreign ship on October 21, 2009.

At the handing over ceremony shaped with a mezban festive, a traditional celebration of the port city Chittagong, Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed, Chief of the Naval Staff, is expected to be present as chief guest.

Western Marine Services Chairman Capt Sohail Hasan and its Managing Director Sakhawat Hossain, Naval COMCHIT Cdre M Nizamuddin Ahmed and high officials from the Group, Bangladesh Navy and the boat club, among others, will attend the event.

The ship is 31.5 meter long and 8.4 meter wide. It can sail at a speed of 12 knots powered by 2X400HP engines. It will be used to cruise in the belt of Karnaphuli River, giving the general people opportunity to enjoy wonderful natural sights strapped with the bank of Karnaphuli.

The Western Cruise is expected to go for commercial operation from January 30. The Chittagong Boat Club will be its harbor station. Initially, the management has planned for trips twice in a da– one in afternoon (4:30PM-6:30PM) and another at night (7:30PM-9:30PM).

During cruising the passengers can enjoy several amusements including, dinning, music, magic and many more. A kids’ corner also will be there. The ship can be hired for organizing programmes like conference, get together etc.

The management of Western Marine believes that this cruise will attract more local and overseas tourists towards the port city enriched with the bewildered natural sights, thus helping for the development of the country’s tourist industry.