The launching ceremony of state of the art 3,000 ton Survey Vessel, being built for Pakistan Navy, was held at Yang Zong, China. The ship was launched into Yangtze River. Chief Naval Overseer (China), Commodore Azfar Humayun graced the ceremony as the chief guest.
The vessel is under construction at Jiangsu DAJIN Heavy Industries Company Limited China and is the largest survey vessel to be built for Pakistan Navy under Sino-Pak collaboration. Once completed, the new ship will be one of the most technologically advanced survey vessels of Pakistan Navy and will strengthen Pakistan’s marine scientific research capability while providing flexibility to carry out underwater search and localization operations.
While addressing the ceremony, Chief Naval Overseer (China), Commodore Azfar Humayun highlighted that Pakistan Navy has strong traditions in hydrography and the newly launched Survey Vessel with its extended endurance and advanced survey equipment will enhance Pakistan’s oceanographic survey capability. He also acknowledged concerted efforts made by Bestway Group, Dajin Shipyard and all involved in the project for timely achieving the significant milestone.
Earlier, chairman of the Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, Mr Zhan Jin Feng welcomed the chief guest and highlighted the significance of the project. He expressed his resolve to complete the project in stipulated time to the satisfaction of the Pakistan Navy. National anthems of both the countries were played at the occasion. After national anthems the ship was launched by the chief guest and chairman Bestway Group.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Chen Botao Deputy Mayor of Yang Zhong Municipal Peoples Government, Mr Bill Chen Vice President of Bureau Veritas (BV) Society in China, Mr. Hang You Bing General Manager Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, Mr. Ma Shixiong President of Bestways Marine & Energy Technology company, Cdr (Retd) Shahzad Amir General Manger Aeroton, Pakistan Navy officials and reps from local government.
The 3000 tonne Survey Ship is 80.8 m in length, equipped with the state of the art survey equipment and has an endurance of 50 days operation at sea. After completion of harbor and sea acceptance trials, the survey vessel will join Pakistan Navy Fleet by August 2019.
Published in Daily Times, December 12th 2018.
