SAIL to manufacture IRS grade plates for Navy vessels

New Delhi: Steel Authority of India Limited's (SAIL) Bhilai Steel Plant has got the necessary works approval certificate from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) to manufacture special shipbuilding grade plates for making Diving Support Vessel (DSV) used by the India Navy. The plates will be supplied to Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for making the vessels. These vessels are used for search, rescue and repair of undersea submarines and other vessels/structures by the Indian Navy.

Certification is given after stringent monitoring and review

This certification requires stringent monitoring and review of the entire systems from steel-making to testing. Accordingly, the processes and procedures adopted in Steel Melting Shop (SMS), Plate Mill and related sections of Research and Control Laboratory, including flat products, SMS and metallography were reviewed and the coveted certification was accorded. "This certification is a testimony to SAIL's commitment towards 'Make in India,'" an official release said.

In recent times, it was recommended by the Indian Navy that steel plates used for development of ships with indigenous grades under the "Make in India programme" be certified by the National certifying body — Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). SAIL-BSP catered to this requirement with greatest promptitude.

SAIL-BSP has been producing shipbuilding grade plates

"SAIL-BSP is producing shipbuilding grade plates for several decades. The plant that has been exporting shipbuilding grade plates and producing warship grade plates DMR 249A for Indian Navy, has certification from Lloyds Register Asia (LRA), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DetNorskeVeritas (DNV). However, as mandated by the Indian Navy, the plant has ensured that the plates to be used for DSB have the requisite IRS certification. The Works Approval Certificate that has been granted to SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant by Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) for manufacture and supply IRS grade plates of Normal Strength (A, B & D) with plate thickness ranging from 8 mm to 45 mm was handed over by IRS officials to senior officials of Bhilai Steel Plant on July 25," the release said.