The fifth ship of the 08 x Missile Less Ammunition Project has been built by MSME Shipyard, M/s Secon Engineering Projects Private Limited (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam for the Indian Navy. The Missile cum Ammunition Ship LSAM 13 (Yard 81)' was launched on 10 June 2024 from the dockyard located at M/s Vinayaga Marine Petro Limited, Mira Bhayander, Maharashtra (launching site of M/s Secon Engineering Projects Private Limited). The ceremony was presided over by Commodore Manish Vig, General Manager (QA), ND (MBI).
The contract for construction of 08 x Missile Less Ammunition Barge Boats was signed on 19 February 2021 between the Indian Ministry of Defence and M/s Secon Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, an MSME shipyard in Visakhapatnam. The induction of these heavy lifting vessels will enhance the operational activities of the Indian Navy by facilitating transportation of goods/ammunition, loading of logistics and embarkation and disembarkment of other ships at smaller dams and ports.
These boats have been indigenously designed and built as per the relevant rules of the Indian Navy and the regulation of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). During the design phase, the model testing of the barge boats was carried out at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. These special small vessels are proud flag bearers of the Make in India initiative of the Government of India.