Western Marine Shipyard went into contract with JGH Marine A/S, Denmark to build & deliver one Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to the Kenyan Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock & Agriculture. This project shall remark one of the greatest achievements of the entire shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh.
The Minister of Shipping Mr. Shajahan Khan has been the Chief Guest in the occasion. Apart from that local MP of Patiya, Chittagong Mr. Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury, Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh H.E. Ms. Hanne Fugl Eskjær & High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kenya Mr. Wahidur Rahman were there as Special Guests. The Danish Prinicipal Mr. Niels Holstein & a five member delegation from the Kenyan Ministry headed by their Director Mr. Patrick Osare also participated in the event.
JGH Marine a Danish based business partner of Western Marine having its regional office in Nairobi, Kenya will work jointly with the shipyard in completing this project. The design of the OPV is from design house- Icarus in South Africa, who specializes on design of OPVs. The ship will have an overall length of 54.70m & she will be able to sail at a maximum speed of 35 knots with 35 crews in the Indian Ocean of East Africa to ensure the safety of Kenyan flagged Fishing Vessels operating in that region. The OPV will be equipped with fully automatic centrally controlled & electromagnetically compatible equipment. She will have a helipad to facilitate the landing a takeoff of 5 tones helicopter. It is a pride for Bangladeshi shipbuilding industry to be able to undertake such hi-tech project work. Export of this high end product will give a new dimension to the export sector of the country.
The shipping minister has mentioned that it is a pride for the nation that Bangladesh will be exporting hi-tech ships which is a great achievement for the entire shipbuilding industry of the country. The minister has also thanked the guests from Kenya & Denmark for enhancing bilateral trade with Bangladesh. The Danish Ambassador praised Western Marine for building the OPV through Danish partnership & technical Assistance of JGH Marine A/S, Denmark. The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya has applauded Western Marine shipyard for taking this industry to such a greater height.
The chairman of the Shipyard Saiful Islam has mentioned that in the long run they shall be able to contribute in the national economy by building more sophisticated ships for export.
The shipyard MD Sakhawat Hossain stated that Western Marine has stepped building of hi-tech 3rd generation vessels for the international market.
