Rajnath Singh inaugurated the upgraded Slipway-4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on 6th October 2026, which marks a breakthrough for India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
The infrastructure upgrade will expand HSL's ability to do bigger and more complex shipbuilding. The new slipway and the heavy-lift Goliath Crane will enable the shipyard to build and launch vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).
Major Boost to Shipbuilding Capacity
The Slipway-4 has a longer length and a powerful load bearing capacity. The addition of the 300-tonne Goliath Crane further strengthens HSL's ability to handle large shipbuilding operations.
As India expands its domestic capacity for design, construct and launch large naval and commercial vessels, the facility will be crucial.
The infrastructure development also contributes to the government’s overall aim of greater self-reliance in defence production and indigenous shipbuilding.
FSS-1 also launched at HSL
The inauguration was part of a larger programme at HSL that included the launch of Fleet Support Ship-1 (FSS-1) for the Indian Navy.
FSS-1 is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built by HSL. The vessels have a displacement of approximately 43,500 tonnes and are intended to replenish naval warships at sea with essential supplies.
Such ships are key to sustaining the Navy’s operational longevity because deployed warships can receive supplies without having to return to port.
Keel Laid for Fleet Support Ship-5
During the same programme, Rajnath Singh also laid the keel of Fleet Support Ship-5 (FSS-5).
The keel-laying ceremony is another important milestone in the Fleet Support Ship programme and reflects the move towards series production of the vessels.
Together, the launch of FSS-1, keel-laying of FSS-5 and inauguration of the improved shipyard infrastructure highlight the growing scale of India's indigenous naval shipbuilding programme.
Why the Goliath Crane Matters
A Goliath Crane is a large gantry-style crane used for handling heavy components during ship construction.
The new 300-tonne crane, combined with the upgraded Slipway-4, gives HSL greater capacity for large sections and equipment for major vessels.
The facility's ability to support vessels up to 45,000 DWT will strengthen HSL's position in India's expanding shipbuilding ecosystem.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Slipway 4 and 300-tonne Goliath Crane at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. https://t.co/zL7kVRBx7C
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2026
When did Rajnath Singh inaugurate the Slipway?
The inauguration took place on October 6, 2026 at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The event was part of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s programme in Visakhapatnam, which included several milestones related to India’s naval shipbuilding and maritime capabilities.
The development is another step towards bolstering India’s domestic defence production and reducing dependence on overseas shipbuilding capacity.
India's Indigenous Defence Push
HSL infrastructure upgrades are coming as India continues to build bigger and more advanced defence platforms from home.
Based on the capabilities of slipways and heavy lifting, HSL is better prepared to carry out future large shipbuilding projects.
The October 6 programme thus combines infrastructure expansion with a significant naval milestone that is going to strengthen India's own shipbuilding capabilities.
