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KOCHI: Waves of excitement lap the gates of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) as the shipyard has initiated countdown for a historic mission - float-out of the country's Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) aka the Air Defence Ship (ADS). Apart from helping India enter an elite league of six countries to indigenously build an aircraft carrier, the ADS will give the CSL a moment to cheer as it becomes the only shipyard in the country (and perhaps in the world) with proven expertise in defence and commercial ship building. This thrill finds echo in the words of CSL's chairman and managing director Commodore K Subramaniam. Excerpts from a free-wheeling interview he gave the TOI:
Your reflections on phase-1 of project IAC?
CMD: Warships are much more difficult to build. The requirements are extremely stringent. Basically warships are designed to go into the harm's way, to sustain battle damage. They must be able to perform even after taking some punishment.
What gave you the confidence to undertake the project?
CMD: CSL started shipbuilding in 1976, we launched the first ship Rani Padmini in 1980. The 80-odd vessels we have made so far, include the largest containers (two Aframax tankers built for SCI, each of 93,000 tonnes dwt), as well some of best platform supply vessels (PSVs) across the globe. But we got the order only because CSL dock could accommodate an aircraft carrier. About 16,000 tonne of steel has been erected in the dry dock in four years, which is a record.
About the next phase?
CMD: The next immediate work is putting the angle deck and sponsons (projections beyond the flight deck), and in 10 months we will finish that. Then we have to complete the entire hull structure, lay all the pipelines, cabling, ventilation trunkings, install all the motors, and switchboards, all these will go on. We also have to do the accommodation as an aircraft carrier is like a floating mini city housing 2,500 people. The next phase we will be completed by 2016.
But the Navy has set a 2018-deadline for you?
CMD: All countries making aircraft carrier take nine to 12 years, between keel laying and delivery. We laid the keel of this in February 2009, and if you are able to finish by 2018, you are actually on par with the Russians, better than the French, and as good as the British. 2018 is challenging deadline, but we will strive to stick to it.
So you are confident to bid for second aircraft carrier?
CMD: Most certainly. We should be the natural choice. Everybody will benefit, the Navy, the country and the shipyard. Anybody else will have to go through this learning cycle again. We are now looking at defence orders till commercial ship building picks up. We have responded to 20-dd tenders of navy, but there is tough competition among Indian shipyards.
But defence minister is of the view that nomination route may not work?
CMD: All the government agencies have to follow the tendering procedure. Private shipyards have lobbied with the ministry asserting that they should not be treated as untouchables (for government tenders). They are arguing that the public sector shipyards should not be given concessions as they will be deprived of level playing fields.
Are you intending to make forays into building of coastal ships?
CMD: We will have to be clear, we are not into boats, we are looking at high-end, high value jobs where our highly skilled manpower can be deployed.
How is your ship repair work progressing?
CMD: Our capacity is to generate a turnover of about Rs 250 crore last year we did even better, we did about Rs 280 crore. We feel ship repair has lot of potentials.
How is your ship building order book placed?
CMD: Right now we have got 25 vessels, including the IAC, 20 fast patrolling vessels (FPVs), worth about Rs 1,500 crore. There is an order for three vessels for a Norwegian owner, they will be Liberian flagged vessels. We also have an order for a vessel for Director General of Light Houses and Light Ships. Altogether these orders are worth Rs 2,400 crore, other than the aircraft carrier.
Any update on CSL's IPO move?
CMD: We need to get government approval. We have started the process. We will need about Rs 500 crore for developing the ship repair facility. We are also looking at a dry dock for rig repair, roughly it will cost about Rs 1,100 crore. I would prefer the equity route for this project as well.
KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB GUYS
Air Defence Ship launch will be a big morale booster: Cochin Shipyard Limited CMD - The Times of India
Your reflections on phase-1 of project IAC?
CMD: Warships are much more difficult to build. The requirements are extremely stringent. Basically warships are designed to go into the harm's way, to sustain battle damage. They must be able to perform even after taking some punishment.
What gave you the confidence to undertake the project?
CMD: CSL started shipbuilding in 1976, we launched the first ship Rani Padmini in 1980. The 80-odd vessels we have made so far, include the largest containers (two Aframax tankers built for SCI, each of 93,000 tonnes dwt), as well some of best platform supply vessels (PSVs) across the globe. But we got the order only because CSL dock could accommodate an aircraft carrier. About 16,000 tonne of steel has been erected in the dry dock in four years, which is a record.
About the next phase?
CMD: The next immediate work is putting the angle deck and sponsons (projections beyond the flight deck), and in 10 months we will finish that. Then we have to complete the entire hull structure, lay all the pipelines, cabling, ventilation trunkings, install all the motors, and switchboards, all these will go on. We also have to do the accommodation as an aircraft carrier is like a floating mini city housing 2,500 people. The next phase we will be completed by 2016.
But the Navy has set a 2018-deadline for you?
CMD: All countries making aircraft carrier take nine to 12 years, between keel laying and delivery. We laid the keel of this in February 2009, and if you are able to finish by 2018, you are actually on par with the Russians, better than the French, and as good as the British. 2018 is challenging deadline, but we will strive to stick to it.
So you are confident to bid for second aircraft carrier?
CMD: Most certainly. We should be the natural choice. Everybody will benefit, the Navy, the country and the shipyard. Anybody else will have to go through this learning cycle again. We are now looking at defence orders till commercial ship building picks up. We have responded to 20-dd tenders of navy, but there is tough competition among Indian shipyards.
But defence minister is of the view that nomination route may not work?
CMD: All the government agencies have to follow the tendering procedure. Private shipyards have lobbied with the ministry asserting that they should not be treated as untouchables (for government tenders). They are arguing that the public sector shipyards should not be given concessions as they will be deprived of level playing fields.
Are you intending to make forays into building of coastal ships?
CMD: We will have to be clear, we are not into boats, we are looking at high-end, high value jobs where our highly skilled manpower can be deployed.
How is your ship repair work progressing?
CMD: Our capacity is to generate a turnover of about Rs 250 crore last year we did even better, we did about Rs 280 crore. We feel ship repair has lot of potentials.
How is your ship building order book placed?
CMD: Right now we have got 25 vessels, including the IAC, 20 fast patrolling vessels (FPVs), worth about Rs 1,500 crore. There is an order for three vessels for a Norwegian owner, they will be Liberian flagged vessels. We also have an order for a vessel for Director General of Light Houses and Light Ships. Altogether these orders are worth Rs 2,400 crore, other than the aircraft carrier.
Any update on CSL's IPO move?
CMD: We need to get government approval. We have started the process. We will need about Rs 500 crore for developing the ship repair facility. We are also looking at a dry dock for rig repair, roughly it will cost about Rs 1,100 crore. I would prefer the equity route for this project as well.
KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB GUYS
Air Defence Ship launch will be a big morale booster: Cochin Shipyard Limited CMD - The Times of India
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