The tanker is being built by Italian ship builder Fincantieri under a contract signed in April 2008, valued at Euro 300 million. The contract includes two vessels. INS Deepak, the first of the two Fleet Tankers to be designed and built in Italy, is at an advanced stage of trials preceding delivery to the Indian Navy. It is scheduled for delivery to India at the end of this year.
Shakti is being built at the Sestri Ponente shipyard, using many modern and state-of-the-art ship building methods and concepts, with advanced outfitting. It is expected to be delivered within two years.
The trials of INS Shakti will start in December this year. Its delivery and commissioning in India is expected to take place in the middle of next year. The Fleet Tankers would be the first warships in Indian waters made by Fincantieri, the premiere shipbuilding company in Europe.
The ships are in double hull configuration, which provides greater safety against accidental oil spillages, in accordance with latest MARPOL regulations. Homai Saha, wife of Ambassador Debabrata Saha, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, broke the coconut while launching the tanker. She also broke a bottle of champagne at the ship's bow in keeping with the Italian tradition.