Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallamraju on Monday said the UPA Government would fund liberally the modernisation of the Hindustan Shipyard Limited to take up construction of warships and submarines.
Mr. Pallamraju addressed a meeting held to mark the delivery of a double bottom bulk carrier with a DWT of 53,000 – the largest vessel built by HSL and in the recent history of shipbuilding in India.
The ownership papers were handed over to Prameela Anandam, wife of P.B. Anandam, Chairman, Goodearth Maritime Limited (GML) by HSL Chairman and Managing Director Naresh Kumar.
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Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari, former Union Minister M.R. Sanjeeva Rao, Commissioner of Police J. Purnachandra Rao, Dredging Corporation of India Chairman and Managing Director S.S. Tripathi, local MLAs T. Vijay Kumar and Ch. Venkataramaiah were present.
m.v. Good Pride is the first among six bulk carriers built under Diamond series with a capacity of 53,000 DWT. This was also the first to be built as per DNV standards.
The ship is a modern double hull bulk carrier with automation of highest standards. The yard has already delivered four 30,000 DWT Trader series bulk carriers to GML in past three years.
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Complimenting the workers and the officers of HSL for building a world-class ship, Mr. Pallamraju said on this historic day, everyone should realise the need to consolidate the expertise of the yard further to meet the requirement of the Navy by changing their orientation from merchant ships to warships.
The yard should also focus on upgrading skills of workforce.
He said HSL had done well by delivering 152 vessels, repairing over 2,000 ships since its inception and delivering 18 ships in past four years.
Ms. Purandeswari thanked Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Mr. Pallamraju for support in bringing HSL under the administrative control of Defence and hoped that the interest of employees not on regular payrolls would be protected.