Indian Navy inducts new ACTCM Barge

• The Indian Navy inducted its 11th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge LSAM 25 (Yard 135) in a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on October 17.

• The contract for construction of 11 ACTCM barges was concluded with MSME Shipyard, Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on March 5, 2021. 

• These barges have been indigenously designed and built by MSME Shipyard in collaboration with an Indian Ship Designing firm and Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). 

• Model testing was undertaken at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam to ensure seaworthiness. 

• The barges were constructed in compliance with the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). 

• Ten ACTCM Barges have already been delivered and the shipyard has also been awarded a contract for construction of four Sullage Barges for the Indian Navy.

• Induction of these Barges would provide impetus to the operational commitment of the Indian Navy by facilitating transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of articles/ammunition to Indian Navy platforms both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)