Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on Monday marked a key milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme with the keel laying of the first 60-tonne Bollard Pull (BP) Tug being built for the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and the signing of a contract for the construction of a second tug of the same class.

The tugboats are being indigenously designed and constructed by HSL in line with the objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with a focus on modernising port infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiency. The 32.5-metre-long tugs, each with a bollard pull of 60 tonnes, are designed for demanding port operations, enabling safer vessel handling, faster turnaround times and improved efficiency amid increasing maritime traffic, said HSL in a statement.

What is bollard pull

Bollard pull is a standard measure of a tugboat’s maximum static pulling power and indicates its capability to manoeuvre large vessels at low speeds—an essential requirement for modern ports handling higher cargo volumes and larger ships.

Strengthening port operations

Addressing the event, Dr Madhaiyaan Angamuthu, Chairperson of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, said that time-bound delivery and quality workmanship were crucial in building trust between organisations. Expressing confidence in HSL’s capabilities, he said the partnership would continue to strengthen both the port and the national maritime ecosystem. He added that with growing cargo volumes and ambitious expansion targets, such tugs and supporting infrastructure were critical for future operations.

Make-in-India commitment

Cmde Girideep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of HSL, thanked the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and technology partners M/s Vedam and M/s Solas Marine for their continued support. He said the twin milestones reflected HSL’s strong technical expertise, project management systems and delivery performance, reaffirming the shipyard’s commitment to quality, timely delivery, customer satisfaction and Make-in-India shipbuilding.

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

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