Article Posted on : - May 20, 2011

An illustration of the Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) built by Goa Shipyard Ltd.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India's 'Shiplift System', first of its kind in defence ship building yards in the country and the largest in the region, will become operational on Saturday when the Rs 400 crore project in Goa is dedicated to the nation.

The commissioning of the shiplift facility by Defence Minister A K Antony on May 21 will coincide with the launching of third in the series of Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) indigenously designed and being built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

"The first two phases of GSL's modernisation programme, including the shiplift system, have been completed in record 28 months. The four-phased plan with a budget of Rs 800 crores aims to create capacity in the shipyard for production of cutting edge technology warships," Defence Ministry officials said here.

Along with the Shiplift system, two ship-repair berths, a transfer area for ships and Shiplift Piers have also been constructed at the GSL.

After completion of modernisation programme, GSL would be able to fabricate steel and aluminium required for shipbuilding and hulls for the vessels at nearly three times that of the present capacity.

The same day, Antony will also inaugurate an integrated defence-civilian township at Karwar in Karnataka with 326 dwelling units under "Project Seabird", also known as Karwar Project.