Yard will develop shipbuilding MSMEs and Ancillaries
The Rs.180 crore Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL) at Nazirgunge, Howrah, will be a great impetus to water transport connectivity to the North-Eastern states, says Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways.
“The yard will not only enable economic development in the close region, but will also provide direct and indirect employment as well as development of MSME’s and Ancillaries,” he said while dedicating the yard to the Nation on 16 Aug 2022.
“I am extremely happy that such a state-of-the-art shipyard is coming up on the banks of the Hooghly in Kolkata. This will provide a great boost in meeting the requirements of new generation, high technology, greener vessels to propel further growth in inland water transport along the National Waterways,” he said.
The facility, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), is set up by reviving the two-century old HDPEL ship building yard at Nazirgunge.
The new yard amalgamates its rich and long shipbuilding heritage with the outstanding expertise of CSL, which is the premier shipyard in India with proven experience of designing, building and delivering high quality complex vessels to clients throughout the world.
This is an example of huge contribution to the nation by reviving a sick unit through another Public Sector Enterprise and converting it into a modern shipyard, he said.
HCSL is equipped with sophisticated equipment, experienced workforce as well as QA/QC, NDT and Fire & Safety Systems. HCSL has obtained IMS Certification (ISO 9001-2015 – Quality Certification, ISO 14001-2015 – Environment Safety & ISO 45001-2018 – Health and Safety Certification).
The facility is strategically located with both slipway launching (upto 80 Mtrs) and side launching facilities (upto 110 Mtr) as well as outfitting jetties.
HCSL aims to position itself as a lead player in inland waterway vessel construction in the country. It will serve the inland water transport sector by construction of inland water vessels for transport of men & material along and across the National Waterways, mainly Ganga (NW1) and Brahmaputra (NW2).
HCSL will also aid in the indigenous construction of green vessels including Hybrid and Pure electric operated vessels, non-conventional fuels and fuel cells technology operated vessels, coastal and inland river vessels, river cruise vessels, river container vessels, LNG and Methanol fuel vessels and barges.
HCSL can provide comprehensive support to clients by not only constructing technologically advanced vessels, but also by providing life cycle support for maintenance and upkeep of the vessels.
The State-of-the-Art HCSL would usher in vast socio-economic development in the immediate region. This shipyard would also open up opportunities for setting up of ancillaries and MSMEs. It will assist in generation of considerable gainful employment in the adjoining areas. fiinews.com
