Keel Laying Ceremony of First Fleet Support Ship at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, 14 November 2024: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) achieved a major milestone with the keel laying ceremony of the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS) at its building dock. The ceremony was conducted by Vice Admiral B. Sivakumar, AVSM, VSM, CWP&A, marking a significant step in the Indian Navy’s ongoing trust in HSL’s capabilities to design and build advanced warships.

The Fleet Support Ship, with a displacement of 44,000 tons and 80% indigenous content, will be a vital asset for the Indian Navy. Designed to provide essential supplies such as fuel, water, ammunition, and stores to naval fleets at sea, it will enhance the Navy’s operational readiness and strategic reach.

This project also holds immense significance for HSL, reflecting the growing strength of the shipyard since its transfer to the Ministry of Defence in 2010. The successful launch of this project aligns with India’s vision of achieving self-reliance in defence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The project will generate over 169 lakh man-days of employment for skilled workers over the next eight years, and support 550 associated MSMEs, further contributing to India’s economic growth and defence self-sufficiency.