Colombo Dockyard Delivers The Largest Passenger Ship – MV Lagoons

MV LAGOONS the 2nd 400 Passenger cum 250 Ton Cargo Vessel was ceremonially handed over by Colombo Dockyard PLC to Union Territories of Lakshadweep Administration on 26th February 2015 at the Shipyard premises with the gracious participation of the President Maithripala Sirisena.

This historic occasion was graced by many dignitaries including Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo from the Embassy of Japan, Mr. L.P. Jayampathy Secretary Ministry of Ports Shipping and Aviation, Mr. Upul Jayasuriya Chairman Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Dr. Lakdas Panagoda Chairman Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Rear Admiral N.K.D Nanayakkara Commander Western Naval Area, Mr. Ajith Senevirathne Director General of Merchant Shipping, Capt. Ravi Jayawickrama Harbour Master, Mr. Thilak Perera Additional Director General of Customs and a host of other Sri Lankan Government Ministry/ Department officials and top corporate officials of the private sector.

Dr. Toru Takehara Chairman, Mr. Sarath De Costa Vice Chairman, Mr. Ranil Wijegunawardena Managing Director/ CEO and the Senior Management and all staff of Colombo Dockyard were present at the ceremony.
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Director (Ports, Shipping and Aviation) of Union Territories of Lakshadweep Administration/ Managing Director of Lakshadweep Development Corporation took delivery of the Vessel on behalf Union Territories of Lakshadweep Administration of the Government of India. Capt. P.K. Chacko the Ship’s Captain and Dr. M. Sivaguru Second Secretary (E&C) of the High Commission of India were present to witness the acceptance of the Vessel. At the ceremony The President also symbolically handed over a Ship Model to Shri. Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Capt. P.K. Chacko.

During the President’s speech, the President commended the technological advancement Colombo Dockyard has achieved and congratulated the entire management and staff for the excellent work and the commitment and dedication in delivering such a magnificent Vessel and being the driving force of Sri Lankan industrialization. The President also stressed that company’s in the likes of Colombo Dockyard is an asset to the Nation and should be encouraged and supported by all concerned and wished the company strength and good luck in its future endeavours.

After addressing the gathering the President went onboard the Vessel to inspect the facilities and was impressed by the vessels sophistication and the level of comfort provided for the passengers and the vessels crew. After disembarking from the Vessel the President mingled with the thousands of staff that had gathered to greet him and left the Shipyard leaving behind a highly memorable visit.

MV CORALS an identical sister ship, MV LAGOONS was previously delivered last October 2014.

This Vessel has been designed for the carriage of Passengers and general cargo, between the Mainland and Lakshadweep Islands and interisland routes. Once this vessel gets in to operation, it will ease the congestion and will provide uninterrupted service for passengers and freight from Cochin to Lakshadweep islands for a journey which generally takes around 20 hours.

Principal Particulars of the Vessel

• Length overall – 99.00 m
• Breadth mld – 17.00 m
• Depth – 9.20 m
• Design Draft – 4.20 m
• First Class – 10 passengers
• Second Class – 40 passengers
• Bunk Class – 350 passengers
• Crew – 69 persons
• Speed – 15 knots
• Fuel Oil – 400 T
• Fresh Water – 350 T
• Dry Cargo – 225 T
• Endurance – 10 days @15 knots
• Main Engines – 2 x YANMAR each engine developing 1920 kW
• Propulsion – 2 x BERG Controllable Pitch Propellers
• Classification – Lloyds Register/ Indian Register

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 fact that the Indian Government placed its utmost confidence in Colombo Dockyard to build these Passenger vessels immediately after delivery of the two numbers 250 Passenger cum 100 Ton Cargo Vessels (MV ARABIAN SEA and MV LAKSHADWEEP SEA), is a clear testimony of the maturity and the status that Colombo Dockyard, has achieved in the field of Shipbuilding in the region and will further strengthen the long and cordial relationship, the two countries have enjoyed over the past years.

Apart from Passenger Shipbuilding, Colombo Dockyard specialises in the construction of Offshore Support Vessels such as Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels, Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels, Platform/ ROV Support Vessels, Crew Boats for companies engaged in providing offshore oil field services, in the oil and gas exploration and production domain.

Since 2007, we have been able to generate over US$ 700 million in Shipbuilding activities alone, contracting 29 Vessels for international clientele.

With our technical expertise in the construction of steel and aluminium hull vessels, complimented by a highly skilled, knowledgeable Engineers and Technicians (more than 3000 Sri Lankans are working at the Shipyard) we are capable of offering Japanese quality products and services, at highly competitive prices. We are also known for our capability to fully customise vessels for client’s requirement and making continuous improvement to the design and performance characteristics, adding value at each and every stage of construction.