New Delhi: The Indian Navy marked another significant milestone with the launch of the ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 13 (Yard 81)’, the fifth barge of the 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project. The vessel was constructed by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam, and the launch ceremony took place on June 10, 2024, at M/s Vinayaga Marine Petro Ltd, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.
The launching ceremony was graced by Cmde Manish Vig, General Manager (QA), ND(Mbi), who presided over the event. The construction of these barges is a part of a crucial project aimed at bolstering the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy.
The contract for building 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge was inked between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, on February 19, 2021. These barges are designed to facilitate transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of articles and ammunition for Indian Navy ships, both alongside jetties and at outer harbors.
Indigenously designed and built under the relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), these barges represent a significant stride in India’s maritime capabilities. Model testing of the barge during the design stage was conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. They stand as proud flag bearers of the ‘Make in India’ initiative by the Government of India (GoI).