COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Work is progressing at a rapid pace to launch the 400 Passenger cum 250 Ton Cargo Vessel being built for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration, Government of India next month. This is the first of a series of two vessels being built.
Once the hull is completed and launched, the vessel will move in to the next stage of the construction process, where it will be outfitted with machinery, piping, electrical, automation, Navigation, Communication and accommodation items.
Once the vessel is completed, it will be deployed to cater to the increased traffic en-route from the Main Land (Cochin) to UTL Islands, as well as in the inter island routes. The addition of this vessel will ease the movement of passengers especially during peak season.
The vessel is designed by world renowned ship design company, Global Maritime Brevik AS of Norway (formerly known as GL Noble Denton/ Brevik Engineering) and the detailed design engineering is performed by Neilsoft Ltd of India. This cooperation enabled the convergence of specialists in their respective fields to achieve the best design solutions and Colombo Dockyard performed the arduous task of product realization.
The vessel is dually classed meeting class rules of Lloyds Register of Shipping and Indian Register of Shipping and statutory rules applicable for a vessel of this type.
The Vessel shall be powered by two Japanese made YANMAR Main Engines each developing a propulsive power of 1920 kW, driving two Swedish made BERG Controllable Pitch Propellers with 3m diameter. This combination provides a high level of maneuverability, optimum efficiency and economic operation for the Vessel.
The accommodation spaces in this Vessel shall consist of, private space, office space, sanitary space, catering space and other spaces. The Passengers will have different categories of accommodation. There will be 10 first class, 40 second class and 350 normal class passenger transportation facilities. All passenger compartments shall be fully air conditioned using an air conditioning system consisting of central air handling unit and refrigerating plant, designed on the basis of environment friendly refrigerant chilled water system.
Well designed and well laid out wheelhouse is ought to provide excellent visibility of the horizon, where the Master and the bridge crew will have unobtrusive view right around the vessel for ease of navigability. Navigation and communication electronic equipment shall be predominately supplied by European and Japanese Makers to increase reliability and to ensure uninterrupted spare part and service support during the life span of the vessel. The vessel so designed, shall be a perfect blend of high tech and elegance, and could be considered as one of the most environmentally friendly vessels to be built by Colombo Dockyard, which indeed will be a positive feature considering the un-spoilt terrain of the Lakshadweep Administration in which these vessels are intended to be operated.
As the vessel’s hull design has been based on slender outlines, the vessel features very low fuel consumption and shall have outstanding maneuvering and sea keeping capabilities with low noise and vibration levels which will also increase the comfort of the passengers and crew of the vessel. The Vessel is to be manned by a crew of 69 who will also be provided with comfortable and elegant living quarters matching the world standards available on a vessel of this class.
Principal Particulars of the Vessel
Length overall- 97.00 m
Breadth mld- 17.00 m
Depth - 9.20 m
Design Draft- 4.20 m
First Class - 10 persons
Fuel Oil- 400 T
Second Class- 40 persons
Fresh Water- 450 T
Bunk Class- 350 persons
Dry Cargo - 200 T
Crew - 69 persons
Endurance - 10 days @15 knots
Speed - 15 knots
Deadweight - 1200 dwt
Main Engines- 2 x YANMAR each engine developing 1920 kW
Propulsion- 2 x BERG Controllable Pitch Propellers
Classification - Lloyds Register/ Indian Register
