Hindustan Shipyard Ltd delivers 200th vessel to Indian Navy

Visakhapatnam Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a Ministry of Defence enterprise, has achieved yet another feather on its cap by delivering the 200th vessel to the Indian Navy by modernising the existing infrastructure at the premier shipbuilding yard at a cost of Rs.1,000 crore.

The augmentation of infrastructure spanning over next two to three years will make HSL more competitive.

The shipyard, set up in 1941 here on the east coast, has facilities like steel shops, building dock and repair dock with an experienced workforce and expertise.

Delivery voyage flag off ceremony of 200th vessel--a 50 tonne bollard pull rug named Balbir to the Indian Navy was conducted at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on Friday.

The tug has been completely designed and built by HSL which is capable of producing 50 tonne bollard pull and can achieve a speed of upto12 knots. During the first sea trials itself, the ship has proved her capabilities and

achieved performance greater than the contractual requirements, a company official said. The tug Balbir has

been built on schedule despite COVID-19 pandemic situation.

On this occasion, Cdr. JP Gupta, Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), HSL congratulated all officers, staff and workmen for professionalism. Cmde. Kunjumon E Mathew, Director (Shipbuilding), HSL thanked all the stakeholders including the Indian Navy for extending their support for successful completion of the

project on time.

HSL Chairman and Managing Director Cmde. Hemant Khatri during the recent visit of Telangana Governor Tamilsai Soundarajan exuded confidence that the yard has vast potential to secure high value construction and refit orders and meet the future requirements of Indian Navy & Coast Guard, thus propelling the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative of the Government of India.

Sources said now the process to finalise the long-awaited contract for construction of five Fleet Support Ships by HSL, first of its kind, at a cost of over Rs.20,000 crore is at an advanced stage. Officials of HSL are confident of finalising the contract by March 31, 2022.

The timely completion of normal refit of INS Sindhuvir is also expected to enable HSL to undertake normal refit of another Indian Naval Submarine.