The sixth ship of LCU MK IV project, was launched on 12 March 2016 at an impressive ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata.

In accordance with the traditions, invocations from Atharva Veda were recited and Smt Seema Verma, wife of Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma, AVSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command, applied ‘Kumkum’ on the ship’s stem. She, thereafter, named the ship as ‘LCU-L56’, wished the ship good luck and launched the vessel.

Rear Admiral AK Verma (Retd), VSM, Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE Ltd, commenced the proceedings with a formal welcome, which was followed by an address by the Chief Guest, Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma.

Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma asserted that Indian Navy has been supporting the drive for indigenous construction of warships leading to advancements of our shipbuilding industry and acknowledged the role of GRSE as a reliable partner in pursuing the national goal of ‘Make in India’. He extended warm felicitations to the entire team of the GRSE for their significant contribution towards meeting the Navy’s growing requirements of state-of-the-art warships.

LCU L-56 is the sixth vessel of the series of eight Landing Craft Utility Ships being designed and built by M/s GRSE for the Indian Navy. The ship can be deployed for multi-role activities like beaching operations, Humanitarian and Disaster Relief operations and evacuation from distant islands. The first ship of the class ‘LCU-L51’ was launched on 12 March 2014 and is presently undergoing sea trials at GRSE. The vessel is likely to be delivered shortly to the Indian Navy.

___________________________________________________________________

DKS/CKP 18/16