KARACHI: Collectorate of Customs Preventive inducted two more high speed FRP boats in its fleet to enhance the capabilities to combat the menace of smuggling and stop illegal activities on the sea routes.
Sources told Customs Today, a handing over ceremony of two high speed FRP boats was held at Karachi Shipyard where high level government officials, a foreign delegation and Customs authorities were also present.
Address the ceremony, the chief guest of the occasion, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Revenue & Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail stated that induction of the two high speed FRP patrol boats for Pakistan Customs Preventive in collaboration with M/s DAMEN is manifestation of Pakistan’s close relations with Netherlands.
He appreciated the timely completion of this project and said that KS&EW’s management and workforce has made remarkable efforts to achieve the financial turnaround of the organization from sustaining losses to a profit bearing entity. He showed his confidence that induction of boats will significantly enhance the capabilities of Pakistan Customs to combat the menace of smuggling.
MD KS&EW Syed Hasan Nasir Shah HI(M) who was also present in the event said that shipyard primarily constructs steel and aluminum ships and construction of these boats has provided the opportunity to enter into FRP construction.
He also briefed that presently there are six ships and seven boats are simultaneously being constructed. He proudly reported that financial turnaround of Karachi Shipyard is mainly due to regular orders from Pakistan Navy, optimum utilization of resources, successful business plan and multipronged marketing strategy. He thanked MoDP, Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission and Pakistan Navy for solid support for revival of Karachi Shipyard.
The ceremony was attended by ambassador of Netherlands, high ranking officials from government, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Customs, corporate sector and KS&EW.
It is pertinent to mention here that the main hull and superstructure of these boats is of Fiber Reinforced Plastic. These boats are having length of 16 meters, displacement of 20 tons with maximum speed of 32 knots and equipped with 7.6 mm and 12.5 mm machine guns at aft position.
