The shipbuilding industry of Bangladesh has stepped into the Pacific by securing a new order from New Zealand.
Western Marine Shipyard Limited has signed contract with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade for building a new Unrestricted International SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Passenger Ship.
The deal was signed between the two parties at Western Marine office in Chittagong in presence of Mr. Harry Stronach, consultant & representative from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
The ship will be built for Tokelau, a non- self governing territory of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. The Administration of Tokelau will use the ship to carry passengers from Tokelau to Samoa Islands which is a voyage of few days. The contract value of the project is $6.6 million and the shipyard expects to complete the project by December 2014.
She will be built under class Lloyd’s Register, UK & it is to be a full SOLAS passenger which means the ship will have highest safety measures considering all possible risks at sea.
The ship will be having a carrying capacity of 60 passengers in addition to 50 tonnes of cargo and supplies. The 43 m long ship will be spacious to provide maximum comfort to the passengers, equipped with 24 bunk beds, 16 reclining seats, a children’s play area, open deck area for passengers, a sick bay and a comfortable accommodation for12 crew.
Western Marine Shipyard, December 27, 2013