U.S. Navy Signs Master Ship Repair Agreement with Larsen & Toubro, furthering U.S.-India Naval Sector Repair and Maintenance Cooperation
Chennai, July 10: Military Sealift Command’s rescue and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) has arrived at Larsen & Toubro Ltd, commonly known as L&T Shipyard, in Kattupalli near Chennai, India, for voyage repairs on Sunday, July 9, 2023. USNS Salvor is the third U.S. Navy ship visiting L&T Shipyard for voyage repairs, after USNS Charles Drew and USNS Matthew Perry.
The USNS Salvor, which was welcomed with a ceremony at L&T Shipyard on Monday, July 10, was the first ship to arrive after the signing of the landmark five-year Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) between the U.S. Navy and L&T.
U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin, U.S. Embassy New Delhi’s Office of Defense Cooperation chief Capt. Michael L. Farmer, L&T Defense Business Executive Vice President and Head A.T. Ramchandani, senior U.S. Embassy officials, and L&T leadership attended the ceremony.
U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin said: “This Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) is yet another milestone in our ever-expanding U.S.-India partnership. This historic agreement is a direct outcome of the 2022 U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and demonstrates U.S. commitment to utilize 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.”
U.S. Embassy New Delhi’s Office of Defense Cooperation chief Capt. Michael L. Farmer commended Larsen and Toubro on their accomplishment in finalizing the MSRA, and their induction of this third vessel into mid-voyage repair activities.
All about USNS Salvor
What is the full name of the ship?
Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) rescue and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52)
What is the role of the ship?
The USNS Salvor is a rescue and salvage ship and is used as a platform to support recovery missions.
What types of support are provided?
USNS Salvor regularly conducts salvage, diving, towing, offshore firefighting, heavy-lift operations, and theater security cooperation missions.
About ownership and operation…
The United States government-owned USNS Salvor is one of only two rescue and salvage vessels in the MSC inventory and the only ship of its kind in the Far East.
Any other interesting facts about the USNS Salvor?
The construction of this vessel, combined with her speed and endurance, make the USNS Salvor well-suited for rescue and salvage operations throughout the world. The USNS Salvor serves as an element of the United States Navy’s Combat Logistics Support Force and provides rescue and salvage services to the fleet at sea.
Ship’s fact file:
Length: 255 ft
Beam: 51 ft
Displacement: 3,336 tons
Speed: 14 knots
Civilian: 26
Military: 4
Additional 48 (max)
Photo Captions:
Photo 1. United States Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin welcomed USNS Salvor at L&T Kattupalli Shipyard on Monday, July 10.
Photo 2. U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin, USNS Salvor’s captain Capt. Andrew MacLeod, L&T Defense Business Executive Vice President and Head A.T. Ramchandani, and L&T Vice President K.S. Nathan onboard USNS Salvor at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Kattupalli Shipyard on Monday, July 10.
Photo 3. U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin, U.S. Embassy New Delhi’s Office of Defense Cooperation chief Capt. Michael L. Farmer, USNS Salvor’s captain Capt. Andrew MacLeod, L&T Defense Business Executive Vice President and Head A.T. Ramchandani, and L&T Vice President K.S. Nathan onboard USNS Salvor at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Kattupalli Shipyard on Monday, July 10.
Translation: Tamil (PDF: 196 KB)
Larsen And Toubro (L&T) Master Ship Repair Agreement Ceremony: Remarks By U.S. Consul General In Chennai Judith Ravin – July 10, 2023 (PDF: 233 KB)
