China 2024 Shipbuilding Industry in China

 Date of Issue: April 23, 2024

The above mini sheet comprises two sets of 4 stamps depicting various vessels, a testament to growing China's Shipbuilding Industry.

Chinese Aircraft Carrier - Shandong:

Shandong is a Chinese aircraft carrier that was launched on 26 April 2017 for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of the People's Republic of China. It is the country's first domestically built aircraft carrier.  

Shandong was constructed by the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, part of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, in Dalian, Liaoning province, China.

The carrier was commissioned on 17 December 2019 at Sanya, Hainan by Central Military Commission chairman Xi Jinping and was officially named Shandong.

It is capabe of carrying up to 30 aircrafts.

Click here to know more about Shandong.

Chinese Destroyer - Nanchang (101)

Nanchang (101) is a Type 055 destroyer of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She is the lead ship of the class and laid down in December 2014 at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.  She was commissioned on 12 January 2020. When launched, Nanchang was among the largest post-Second World War warships launched in East Asia. She is equipped with wide range of armaments including short-range SAM 24-cell launcher, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, land-attach cruise missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, anti-ship ballistic missiles and can carry 2 medium-lift helicopters.

Click here to know more about Nanchang (101)

Adora Magic City - China's first large-scale cruise ship

It was built by a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) and Carnival, an American cruise operator. 

It has 15 decks and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers and 1,292 crew members.  The ship has 2,125 cabins.The ship's launch is a milestone in China's shipbuilding industry.

CMA CGM Jacques Saade

The world's largest container vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as fuel oil.

It was named and handed over by its Chinese manufacturers to its French buyer in Changxing Island in Shanghai on Tuesday, proving that China's shipbuilding industry has moved from following others to "leading the pack" in terms of large container ship manufacturing.

With a deck as large as 23,978 square meters, roughly equivalent to the size of three and a half standard soccer fields, the world's largest and most advanced dual-fuel container ship can be loaded with 23,000 TEUs at a single time.

Text Source: Wikipedia, globaltimes.cn

Cuba Coast Guard - Mirando al Mar

Date of Issue: February 11, 2017

The Border Troops (part of Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces) of the Republic of Cuba are de facto both a border guard and a coast guard force, and all new officers are commissioned from the Granma Naval Academy. It is a branch that ensures the protection of the state borders and territorial waters.

Depicted on the stamp is a fast patrol boat with number 091. Could not get much information online. If anyone could share more information to be published, I would be grateful.

 

2nd Award for my Blog - Silver Medal at Kalanchiam@79°E, Thanjavur

Latest Award for my blog - Won a silver medal at Kalanchiam@79°E - District Level Philatelic Exhibition organized by India Post, Central Region, Tamilnadu held at Tamil University, Thanjavur on October 8 & 9, 2024.

INS Nirupak (J20) - Decommissioning - Special Cover - 1985-2024 - Visakhapatnam

INS Nirupak (J20) - Decommissioning Ceremony (1985-2024)

Date of Issue: January 29, 2024

A special cover was issued during decomissioning ceremony to honor 38 years of service to the nation. Issued by India Post, Visakhapatnam Region, sponsored by Eastern Naval Command, Govt. of India.

INS Nirupak was built by GRSE, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata and commissioned into the Indian navy at Visakhapatnam naval base in 1985 under Eastern Naval Command.

The primary tasks of INS Nirupak include hydrographic surveys, nautical chart preparation, cartography & training. The ship also has disaster relief capabilities because it can operate as a hospital.

Nirupak's achievements are etched in awards like the prestigious Admiral Jal Cursetji Rolling Trophy for best survey ship, which it bagged in 1994, 1995, 2005, and 2009. Beyond charting the seas, the ship served with distinction in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Notably, it played a critical role as a hospital ship during Operation Gambhir, providing vital relief to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami.

The meaning of the name 'Nirupak’ is one who is an indicator. The crest design depicts the Indian Ocean and an imaginary dial of a Navigational Geographic Grid, with concentric circles being divided by the eight compass points. The entire image is shown on a Bluish Grey background.

As Nirupak sails into history, it leaves behind a rich legacy of maritime excellence. Its 38 years of service stand as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Indian Navy and its commitment to ensuring safe and secure oceans for all.

Text Source: Wikipedia, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Navy FB page.

Click Here to see other special covers of Indian Navy Ships in my collection.

Postcard from Lithuania - Lithuanian Maritime History

Thanks to Lithuanian Postcrossing user myjoy63 / Eddie for this stamp sent on picture postcard.

This stamp issued in 17.07.2023, designed by A.S.Kazdailis.

The stamp features a wind rose (graphical charts that characterize the speed and direction of winds at a location) and a sable. A wind rose is a star-shaped figure whose rays indicate the direction of the wind. Usually, these are 32 geographical directions, to which sometimes the names of the winds of that area are listed.

Here is the front side of the postcard I received, depicting a bottle showpiece with tall ships race stamp, Baltic 2009 - which is already explained in this post - Click here

Text Source: Wopa-Plus.com
Click Here to see other picture postcards I have received.

Special Cover - 2023 - Launching of INS Vindhyagiri Under Project-17 A

Special Cover issued on 17.08.2023 at Kolkata. Cover illustration depicting Howrah Bridge in Kolkata and aerial view of Mazagon Dock, Mumbai, and digital image of INS Vindhyagiri.

Cancellation depicting logo of GRSE and words "Builders of 100+ Warships" and "Strengthening Nation's Maritime Security" in English and Hindi.

Launch of  Project-17A Stealth Frigate - INS Vindhyagiri, by Hon. President of India - Srimati Droupati Murmu.

INS Vindhyagiri is a Nilgiri Class (Project-17A) frigate of The Indian Navy. It was jointly built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai.  Named after the Vindhyagiri Hill in Karnataka, Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the P-17A Frigates, which are the advanced version of Shivalik-class frigates with enhanced stealth features, upgraded weapons and sensors and better platform management system on-board. Seen as demonstration of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence sector, this indigenously evolved stealth guided-missile frigate equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Text Source: Wikipedia

Click Here to see other special covers of Indian Navy.

Thanks to Mr. Kanishka Malik, Kolkata for helping me to add this special cover in my collection.