First US Navy Ship Docks at Tamil Nadu Port for Repairs

Padmesh Prabhune

Pic- US Navy Ship Salvor

US Navy Ship Salvor arrived at Tamil Nadu’s Kattupalli shipyard on July 9 for repairs, becoming the first US vessel to dock at there after the US signed a deal with L&T shipyard to conduct a mid-voyage repair under the five-year Master Ship Repair agreement between the US Navy and L&T.

The US consul General based in Chennai, Judith Ravin, said in a statement that the development is set to strengthen Indo-US strategic partnership and maritime security.

She added, “This Master Ship Repair agreement is yet another milestone in our ever-expanding US-India partnership. This historic agreement is a direct outcome of the 2022 US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and demonstrates US commitment to utilise repair facilities on a regular basis at the L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli. This agreement will serve to strengthen our two nations’ strategic partnership and contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

According to Ravin the agreement allows to pre-approve shipyards to repair US Naval vessels after a rigorous vetting process. The MSRA will fast-track US government contracting processes for repair work and advances the Indian government’s indigenous production and logistics goals. With MSRA certification, the L&T Kattupalli shipyard may bid on US Navy and Military Sealift Command ship repair contracts throughout the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Incidentally this is the third US naval vessel undergoing repair activities in India and according to stalwarts this is perceived as defence cooperation between India –US and  this is being viewed as a validation of the capability of the Indian shipbuilding industry coming of age, as the US opted for this after a certification procedure.

With six shipyards based in India, it is a two billion industry considered cost-effective and wide-ranging. The L&T Shipyard has built 70 ships and repaired or refitted 100 vessels in the last decade, catering to foreign and domestic client.

Arun Ramchandani, the Head of Defence at L&T Shipyard, said that it is an enabling deal and a wonderful beginning, adding that all the necessary environmental clearances have been received for the port’s expansion.

–Marex Media