Offshore Patrol Vessels: L&T builds faster, cheaper than Goa Shipyard

Since PM Narendra Modi inaugurated GSL's indigenous shipbuilding project in November 2016, the shipyard has handed over two OPVs to the ICG and launched the other three

Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) on Monday launched the fifth and final Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) out of an order of five such vessels it is constructing for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The vessel has been named ICGS Saksham. 

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated GSL’s indigenous shipbuilding project on November 13, 2016, the defence public sector undertaking (DPSU) shipyard has handed over two OPVs to the ICG and launched the other three. “Launching” is a major construction landmark, in which the completed hull is put into water. It is followed by “outfitting” the vessel with its superstructure, electronics and