Chennai, July 11: 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 for voyage repairs.
A press release said that 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,” the release added.
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.