Visakhapatnam: After commissioning of ICGS Rani Gaidinliu on Thursday, the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd is ready to deliver three more vessels. The fifth and last inshore patrol vessel of the series, ICGS Rani Rashmoni, is in advanced stage of construction and will be delivered by May 2017, said HSL chairman and MD L.V. Sarath Babu at a meeting held at the Yard on Friday.
ICGS Rani Gaidinliu, the fourth of the series, was commissioned on Thursday. The IPV is a high speed vessel built of light steel and fitted with water jet propulsion. These vessels are powered by MTU engines with advanced machinery control system and can attain maximum speed of 34 knots and are considered workhorses of the Coast Guard.
“Dedicated efforts are being put in and innovative methods are being employed to improve productivity, quality and hasten the procurement processes in the shipyard since last nine months. As a result of this, the yard has delivered two tugs and one IPV so far,” Mr Sarath Babu said.
One 25T Bollard pull tug built for Indian Navy was ready for delivery. Two 50T Bollard pull tugs would be delivered by the end of this month. With this, vessels delivered in this calendar year would reach to six which will be a record achievement in the Indian shipbuilding industry, he said.
“The ship repairs division of HSL has delivered eight ships post repairs in this calendar year,” Mr Sarath Babu said. With the current production rate, the shipyard was poised to lead the industry in a short span of time, he added.
