Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) handed over the first of the five inshore patrol vessels being built for the Indian Coast Guard, Rani Abbakka, on Thursday, according to a press release. HSL has so far delivered 166 vessels of various types since its inception.
On the occasion, Rear-Admiral Mr N.K Mishra, the Chairman and Managing Director of the HSL, said that the first inshore patrol vessel had undergone many design updates and trials and had at last emerged a fine ship. The remaining four IPVs would be delivered to the Coast Guard before March 2013, he said. “The HSL has a well-defined plan to improve its performance and it will soon be transformed into a profit-making company,” he said.
He said high-value orders from the Ministry of Defence would help the shipyard in achieving a turnaround. Mr S.K Goyal, the IG (Coast Guard), complimented the officials and employees of the HSL and said the Coast Guard had reposed faith in the HSL. He expressed the hope that the remaining vessels would also be delivered on schedule.
The IPV is a high-speed vessel built of light steel hull and fitted with water jet propulsion systems for high speed operations. It is 51.5 metres long, 8.36 metres wide and it has a draught of 4.55 metres. The vessel meets IMO standards, adds the release.
Earlier on Wednesday, keels were laid for two 50-tonne bollard pull tugs for Kandla port trust. Recently, the HSL delivered a 50-tonne bollard pull tug to Visakhapatnam port trust and the next is due to be delivered in March. The HSL will be delivering a 53,000-DWT bulker to Goodearth Maritime Limited, Chennai, and two IPVs to the Indian Coast Guard.
The shipyard is being modernised with an investment of Rs 457 crore, adds the release.