Khulna: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday hoped that Khulna Shipyard will be able to build more modern battle ships in the future and export those.

‘Khulna Shipyard will be able to attain the capacity to build more developed and modern battle ships one day, Insha Allah. I do believe it’ll be able to export ships as well,’ she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing at a function marking the keel-laying of two large patrol craft (LPC) and inauguration of two container vessels for Nou Kalyan Foundation of Bangladesh Navy at Khulna Shipyard here in the afternoon.

She suggested the shipyard to build dredgers and ferries considering their growing demand in the country. ‘We don't want to engage in any war. But, we've to remain ready so that we don't have to make any retreat if we're attacked.’

She said Khulna Shipyard has started utilising the golden opportunity to tap the growing demand of constructing ships for the global market as many countries are now showing their interest about Khulna Shipyard and communicating with them. ‘Utilisation of the permanent asset at Joymoni Goal at Mongla will further expand Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry.’

Hasina said Khulna Shipyard is a strategic asset for Bangladesh and the government will ensure its further development.

The new modern container vessels built by Khulna Shipyard with technological support from Singapore for Navy’s Noukalyan Foundation will enrich the growing technical and technological experiences of this yard alongside contributing to the national economy.

She said the container vessels on the country's domestic river routes, especially from Chittagong, Pangaon and Mongla ports, could transport goods at ease to neighbouring countries.

About workers’ welfare, Hasina said the Labour Act-2006 has been made a time-befitting one through amendment. ‘Mind it this Shipyard belongs to you, it is also the sacred duty of you to keep this operative and keep continue its pace.’

The Prime Minister said Khulna Shipyard has been playing a pioneering role in constructing state-of-the-art battle ships alongside importing battle ships from abroad as part of a process to turn Bangladesh Navy into a tri-dimensional force.

She said it is the demand of time for ensuring overall security to the vast maritime areas as well as protection of the maritime areas, extracting wide open maritime resources and its management following the final settlement of maritime disputes with India and Myanmar.

To uninterruptedly carry out such activities, the Khulna Shipyard is constructing medium and large seagoing vessels as well as small and big quality battle ships for Navy.

Navy chief and Khulna Shipyard Board of Directors chairman Vice Admiral M Farid Habib also spoke on the occasion, while Khulna Shipyard Managing Director Commodore M Khurshid Malik delivered the welcome address.

Earlier on her arrival at Khulna Shipyard, the Prime Minister was received by Navy Chief Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Khulna Shipyard Managing Director Commodore M Khurshid Malik. She also released balloons and pigeons on the occasion.

Meanwhile, thousands of people carrying banners and festoons greeted the Prime Minister on her way to the Khulna Shipyard.