Pan-United Completes Major New-building Project for Gadgil Western Group
Pan-United Shipyard Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of industrial group Pan-United Corporation Ltd, launched a floating dock with maximum lifting capacity of 20,000 for the Gadgil Western (formerly Western India) Group, one of the largest industrial conglomerates in the Indian Subcontinent.
The dock marks Pan-United's biggest newbuilding project completed so far this year. It was ordered by Western India Shipyard Ltd (WISL), a subsidiary of the Gadgil Western Group. WISL is building India's largest privately- held shiprepair yard at Mormugao Port in Goa on the west coast of India.
Pan-United had secured this major turnkey contract in November 1993 against stiff competition from local and international yards. Its work package extends from construction and towage to India right up to commissioning the dock at Mormugao Port. The design and engineering aspects were handled jointly by Ferrostaal AG of Germany and Pan-United Shipyard.
Pan-United's expertise and experience in building a floating dock with lifting capacity of 15,000 tonnes for its own use in 1992 was a crucial factor in winning this dock contract. WISL was also impressed by the shipyard's sound reputation and its total commitment to reliability and quality.
The new dock, named WESTERNER, was launched on March 1995 at Pan-United's yard in Tuas by Mrs Asha Gadgil (wife of Shri P B Gadgil, chairman of WISL) and Mrs Manju Wardekar (wife of Shri A S Wardekar,Co-Promoter of WISL). The launching ceremony was officiated by His Excellency Shri B M C Nayar, the High Commissioner of India to Singapore. Following the launch, the dock undergone preliminary trials before it was towed to Mormugao Port about two weeks later.
Shri Nandan P Gadgil, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gadgil Western Group, said: "We are very satisfied with the high standards of professionalism that have been devoted to building this dock. Its timely completion is a credit to the Pan-United team." He added that "the WESTERNER project has paved the way for solid foundations between the Gadgil Western and Pan-United Groups."
Noting the significance of the project, Dr Ow Chin Hock, Executive Chairman of Pan-United Corporation Ltd, said: "This is our first newbuilding contract for India. It has expanded Pan-United's overseas business network and opened up opportunities for us in the Indian Subcontinent. We look forward to doing more business with the Gadgil Western Group."
The successful completion of the WESTERNER - the third floating dock built by Pan-United - will add to the shipyard's already proven track record in customised newbuilding projects. Pan-United's newbuilding tally now stands at 113 vessels in over 10 years of operations.
In February 1995, the yard completed a clean product tanker for the Petroships Group, a major tanker operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The 12,400 deadweight tonne Petro Concord is the third tanker built by Pan-United for Petroships. Currently, the yard is building two specialised cement carriers for an overseas client.
Pan-United Shipyard constitutes Pan-United Corporation's core business in the marine industry. The Group is also established in the shipping industry. Within the region, it is building up new core businesses in infrastructural-related areas and in port and land development.
