The shipbuilding division of Chowgule and Company has bagged overseas orders to build 12 ocean going cargo vessels of 4,450 DWT each with a total estimated cost of Rs 400 crore, three each from Netherlands based company Navigia and German company Appollo Shipping, four from UK company Union Transport and two from German company Priesse for delivery in next three years

Executive Director Mr Ashok V Chowgule said that with these new orders, Chowgule’s shipbuilding division is marking change in its profile by building cargo ships, he said. At present, the company is focusing on iron ore barges, passenger vessels, deep sea refrigerated fishing trawlers, grab and cutter suction dredgers, tugs, twin hull catamarans and floating restaurants. “The shipyard will not be accepting any fresh orders as the capacity is full. It is planning to upgrade its capacity to construct 8 vessels against existing capacity of three years per year,” he added.

The division is also undertaking an investment program of Rs 40 crore to upgrade the shipyard facilities by inducting advanced machines. It has already invested Rs 10 crore and has installed CNC Plasma cutting machine which can cut steel plates of 12 meters

The shipyard, located at Loutulim in Goa, has a good water front, two construction bays, full fledged workshop, outfitting jetty and sufficient skid for pre-fabrication facility.