When Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman of VPA, pulled the button on the CNC Plasma Cutting Machine at HSL Hull Shop, HSL celebrated a significant milestone with the steel-cutting ceremony of a 60T Bollard Pull Tug for VPA. Senior representatives from VPA, HSL, staff, and workers attended the ceremony, demonstrating the two organizations’ solid and enduring collaboration.
HSL CMD Cmde Hemant Khatri, IN (Retd), thanked VPA for its ongoing confidence since the first ship, Launch Shanti, was delivered in 1970 and 10 more followed. He highlighted HSL’s development toward Mini Ratna rank and its shift from negative to positive net worth after 40 years. He also emphasized how important VPA and HSL are to Visakhapatnam’s marine development. He discussed HSL’s future plans, which include creating next-generation Green Tugs that run on hydrogen and electricity to cut carbon emissions.
HSL was commended by Dr. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, VPA, for its ethical procedures, positive work culture, and turnaround. He underlined how crucial the tug is to port operations, particularly given that VPA wants to move 90 MMT of cargo this year and more than 100 MMT in the next two years. Dr. Angamuthu emphasized the need for additional tugs and indicated interest in working with HSL in the future. Additionally, he emphasized the country’s transition to shipbuilding and ship repair, with HSL being essential in establishing Vizag as a marine center. In support of Swarna Andhra and Viksit Bharat, he reaffirmed the united goal of VPA and HSL to advance self-reliance, innovation, and maritime growth.
