India’s Defence minister (Raksha Mantri), Mr Rajnath Singh today unveiled 3 significant milestones for India’s premier shipbuilding and repair facility, Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
The RM launched the first indigenously built Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1) named Surya while laying the keel of Fleet Support Ship-5 (FSS-5) and also inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and 300-tonne Goliath Crane at Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
Addressing the gathering on this momentous occasion the defence minister heaped praises on HSL’s remarkable turnaround calling it incredible.
“Twenty-six years ago, when I was union minister, I visited HSL and it was going through severe financial stress. But today what HSL has achieved is truly outstanding and praise worthy. I could not have imagined such a major transformation of HSL” said the defence minister.
Applauding HSL’s Mini Ratna category-1 status he attributed the success and turnaround of HSL entirely to its employees and management for leading this change.
He called HSL as the custodian of India’s national maritime capability.
5 Key Priorities for HSL
Going forward Mr Rajnath Singh said HSL needs to do much more in becoming a world class shipyard and therefore laid 5 key priorities for the shipyard.
“HSL needs to focus on timely delivery and this has to be made a culture in the organization. Similarly, it should learn from shipyards in the west, strengthen its Indigenous designs, make MSMEs and startups technology partners and develop Life Cycle capabilities,” said the RM.
He added that he was confident that HSL would execute these and achieve even greater heights of success.
“Quality, productivity and timely delivery should be the benchmark of HSL,” said the RM.
The defence minister also asked the Indian Navy to be clear and precise in their requirements and the desired results and outcomes they seek. This he said will help shipyards plan better.
“Our aim needs to be simple and clear i.e. Design better, build faster, deliver on time, operate efficiently and effectively maintenance”.
He also urged HSL to reach out to Vizag’s and AP’s wider industrial ecosystem in its efforts to become a leading organization.
Vizag As Maritime Industrial Hub
In addition, the Raksha Mantri laid much emphasis on making Vizag an integrated hub for the maritime industrial ecosystem.
Stating that Vizag has everything it needs to become a big maritime hub he called for an integrated and cohesive approach among key stakeholders.
“With navy’s operational expertise, shipbuilding capability, engineering talent, existing port infra and importantly skilled workforce the city can make India’s maritime ambitions a ground reality” noted the defence minister.
He also lauded Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister for his foresightedness and business friendly approach.
“Vizag needs to prepare for the future requirements of the maritime industry while Andhra Pradesh needs to be a strong pillar in India’s ship building and maritime ambition. And with Mr Chandrababu Naidu at the helm this is certainly possible,” said Mr Singh.
Mr Rajnath Singh said that India by 2047 should be a country i.e. Atma Nirbhar, secure & prosperous.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan; Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval command Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla; AP Minister Mr BC Janardhan Reddy; Vizag MP, Mr M Sribharat; HSL’s chairman and managing director RADM C Raghuram(Retd.) and many other dignitaries.
