HSL set to sign contracts worth Rs 18,000 cr

Visakhapatnam: ON this day in 1941, visionary Seth Walchand Hirachand laid foundation stone for Scindia Steam Navigation Company in Visakhapatnam after scouting for several probable locations, which was subsequently renamed as Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in 1961 ushering in a glorious chapter in Indian shipbuilding history. MV Jalausha, the first ship in Independent India, was launched in 1948 from Visakhapatnam by then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The stone for the country's premier shipyard was laid by the first President Dr Rajendra Prasad on June 21, 1941. HSL was instrumental in the growth of the modern shipbuilding industry in India. It has weathered several challenges proving its supremacy in the construction of several types of ships including passenger ships, offshore and onshore platforms, tugs and retrofitting of submarines.

HSL along with Visakhapatnam Port, which launched commercial traffic in 1933 were instrumental in metamorphosing a small fishermen town of Vizagapatam, later known as Visakhapatnam and Vizag, into a growing metropolis.

Even after the demise of legendary industrialist Walchand Hirachand in 1953, Scindia Shipyard continued to function successfully under the guidance of next of kin of the founders. The shipyard was nationalised and renamed as Hindustan Shipyard Ltd in 1961 under the control of Ministry of Shipping. It was brought under the control of Ministry of Defence in 2010 in recognition of its strategic location in close vicinity to Eastern Naval Command headquarters, Naval Dockyard-Visakhapatnam and the facility for construction of Arihant class nuclear powered submarines.

While rededicating the shipyard to the motto 'reform with intent, perform with integrity and transform with intensity', HSL Chairman and Managing Director Commodore Hemant Khatri paid rich tributes to the founder and said the yard was likely to conclude a Rs 18,000 crore-contract this year and they were firm on constructing ships of world-class standards. He said significant changes are being made in the way business is done at HSL in all facets of the organisation with an aim to completely achieve transformation. "These include policy level changes like adopting a new material manual-2021 and service manual-2021that are more vendor-friendly. The dream of digital transformation is being achieved by implementing the latest ERP system." He said detailed plans for massive infrastructure upgradation in the yard for construction of five Fleet Support Ships are also being worked out.

HSL spread over 46.2 hectares is equipped with a highly talented workforce, plasma cutting machines, steel processing, fabrication, cranes, testing and measuring facilities. The yard has a covered building dock for construction of vessels up to 80,000 DWT and three slipways and a 550 metres fitting-out jetty. It has a dry cock, wet basin and submarine repair facility.

"The shipyard has a rich history and also has the capability of contributing its might for nation-building by taking up construction of most modern ships and other ocean-going crafts," Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh national vice-president Jagadeeswara Rao said.

New initiatives

Over the past few months, significant changes are being made with an aim to achieve transformation in business processes. The dream of digital India and digital transformation is being achieved by way of implementation of the latest ERP system (SAP S4 HANA) and also using intranet facilities extensively. The skill India objective is being implemented by increasing the apprentices inducted for training, conducting mid-career courses for executives, welder qualification on specialised steel and by implementing the mentorship scheme for young officers.

HSL officials say all of these will greatly enhance the skill sets and enable all-round development of HSL personnel. On the production front, various standard procedures are implemented to ensure quality and improve efficiency. Efforts are being made to upskill every production officer into a "Project Manager". Empowerment of young officers is being done by giving them leadership roles in their 'zone of influence'. Detailed plans for a massive infrastructure upgradation in the yard are also being worked out with the support of consultant and collaborator for Fleet Support Ships.

HSL is also working out ways to augment capacity and output by getting into turnkey contracts with capable vendors. Future business opportunities are being explored by way of signing of MoUs with Goa Shipyard Ltd, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Shipping Corporation of India, Dredging Corporation of India Ltd and tie-ups with OEMs and technology partners.

The shipyard has a rich history and also has the capability of contributing its might for nation-building by taking up construction of most modern ships and other ocean-going crafts - Jagadeeswara Rao, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh national vice-president