The Hindusthan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has done better than all other shipyards in the country -- both in the public as well as the private sector -- during 2013-14 by delivering five vessels and two of them the same day, according to its Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral (retd) N.K Mishra.
Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the shipyard on Friday, he said delivering two vessels the same day was a first in the country. “We have stunned our critics and proved soothsayers wrong by performing the way we did in the year, but the task is not done yet. We have graduated from building age-old bulkers to modern warships. One such warship is under construction in the yard. We must rise to greater heights,” he exhorted the employees on the occasion.
Delivery of tugsDelivery of three tugs to the Indian Navy was the most significant achievement during the year and the vessels proved themselves during Cyclone Phailin and the seven successive cyclones. “It was a proud moment for all of us,” he said. The HSL was acquiring new cranes and also a new pipe flanging machine that would reduce piping work substantially, he said.
“Our roofing work for hull shop, fabrication unit and stores has started and in three or four months our shipyard will look like a new bride,” he announced and said that the HSL was also improving the conditions in the shipyard colony and repairs to 200 houses and other works would be undertaken shortly.
Financial positionThe CMD, however, admitted that the financial position of the HSL was not all that rosy. “We are financially weak. It is a fact that payments to contracts, suppliers and service providers have been delayed. But we are making efforts to set things right. Things will be better after we get more orders from the Defence Ministry,” he added.
