CDL to build two for India

Sri Lanka?s Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) has secured a $36.6 million order for construction of two 89 metre, 250 passenger capacity ships for the Government of India.

The significance of the award is that, this is the first time in the history of local shipbuilding industry that a Sri Lankan organisation (in this case CDL) has been awarded a shipbuilding project by the government of India. This is the first ocean going passenger vessel construction to be undertaken by CDL.

Since its inception in 1974, CDL was formed with the main objective of carrying out ship repair but has also managed to prove its capabilities by building tugs, fast crafts and anchor handling tugs. CDL operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard of Japan since 1993.

In addition, this award also strengthens CDL?s future strategy, as a potential aluminium passenger vessel builder. Union territories of Lakshadweep, Nicobar and Andaman Islands in India and all other SAARC countries require passenger vessels and CDL would definitely be in a position to acquire more orders in the future.

The Passenger vessel will be of 89.00 meters overall length and has the capacity to accommodate 250 passengers and cargo 100 tons.