Bangladesh: WMS Delivers Two Ships to European Market

The leading shipbuilding company of Bangladesh Western Marine Shipyard Limited have delivered more two ships to the European market on 06 February 2013 creating another milestone in the country’s shipbuilding sector. The Ro Ro Passenger Ship “ISEFJORD” has been built for Danish owner Hundested Rorvig Faergefart which will be used to carry 147 passengers & 28 units of vehicle in Danish coastal area.

The other ship “STELLA ATLANTIC” is a 4100 DWT Multipurpose dry cargo ship which will operate in Europe. The Commerce Minister Mr. G. M. Quader attended the delivery ceremony as Chief Guest and Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mr. Svend Olling joined as Special Guest.

Addressing in the occasion the Chief Guest Commerce Minister GM Quader, MP said shipbuilding has become a brand for Bangladesh and Shipyards like Western Marine has proven that they are fully capable of hi-tech construction in Bangladesh. The Special Guest Danish Ambassador Svend Olling stated that these ships will be known by many ship owners in Denmark as Bangladesh built products.

Western Marine Chairman Saiful Islam stated that Western Marine Shipyard has exported several ships & this has created a very good image of the country all over the world. This way the emerging shipbuilding industry is branding Bangladesh globally. The Managing Director the shipyard Sakhawat Hossain expressed his delight for delivering the two vessels. He has mentioned that RoRo ferry ISEFJORD is of latest model & successful completion of this project is one of the greatest achievements of Western Marine. He even spoke that the ship owners are highly satisfied with the ships’ quality.

ISEFJORD is a hi-tech & fully automated ferry built under class. Newbuilding of passenger ships require great proficiency considering the highest standard & 100% safety compliances. Bangladesh being an emerging and very infant shipbuilding industry, it was a great challenge to have taken initiatives for building such a sophisticated ship. ISEFJORD consists of all the advanced technologies of a passenger carrier. The ship is fully automated, she can operate from both end having dual operating system in its bridge. ISEFJORD is capable of rotating 360 degree from a fixed point. Systems of the ship could also be monitored & controlled from cellular phones ans laptops which is considered the most sophisticated marine technology today. The ship could be operated by only two men for having the highly advanced marine equipment in it.

Ferries which ply in Denmark are of best quality & Denmark is known for selling similar ships to other countries in the world. In-fact Bangladesh used to import ships from Denmark in the past and delivery of ISEFJORD will add a new achievement in the shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh. The ship has been built under class Bureau Veritas and approved by the most stringent maritime administrator “Danish Maritime Authority”.

In the other hand STELLA ATLANTIC is a merchant ship having the capacity of 4100DWT. She is strengthened to carry heavy specialized cargo. She has twin deck which means she can carry two types of cargo at the same time. The ship is also equipped with 120tons of hydraulic crane for self feeding. This newbuilding project was executed under class Germanischer Lloyd (GL).