Steel cutting ceremony of 600 ton Maritime Patrol Vessel (MPV) for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) was held at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) on 03 May 2016. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by high ranking officials from the Government, Pakistan Navy, China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), PMSA, Port Qasim Authority (PQA), KS&EW and Corporate Sector.

MD KS&EW, Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah HI(M) in his welcome address expressed that construction of 600 tons MPV at KS&EW signifies the trust and confidence that Government reposes in Karachi Shipyard. The 600 ton Maritime Patrol Vessel is a state of the art, multi mission vessel with steel hull and aluminium super structure. He said that this ship will be fully equipped to enforce maritime security, Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in Maritime Exclusive Economic Zone of Pakistan. He further said that this year we will be launching 2 ships and starting projects of 3 new ships.

Later, the Chief Guest in his address congratulated Karachi Shipyard and M/s China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) for timely achievement of this construction milestone. He said that induction of MPVs will go a long way in protecting national sovereignty and safeguarding rich natural resources of the area. He further said that the Government is committed to develop maritime infrastructure along the coast to prepare for trade expansion. In this regard, the upcoming China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will transform Pakistan into a regional economic hub, which will prove to be a «game and fate changer» for the region. He congratulated KS&EW for the award of contract of 4 new generation Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarines, which is a landmark achievement.

While sharing his views about the upcoming development in the maritime sector, he said that the upcoming Ship Lift and Transfer System will further enhance the capacity of KS&EW whereby repair of 13 ships would be possible at one time. Ensuring his continued support for Karachi Shipyard in upgrading and maintaining its infrastructure, he motivated the workforce with the pledge to make Pakistan a leading shipbuilding country in the region in line with its potential and ideal location.