Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), a leading Indian rolling stock and engineering solutions provider, has achieved a significant milestone by delivering the first indigenously built Diving Support Craft (DSC A20) to the Indian Navy. This handover marks a crucial step in India's maritime defense capabilities and showcases the country's growing prowess in naval shipbuilding.

Key Highlights of the Diving Support Craft

• Vessel Specifications: The DSC A20 is a 32.9-meter catamaran-type vessel designed to support the Navy's Command Clearance Diving Teams in underwater operations.
• Operational Capabilities: With a 72-hour endurance and a cruising speed of 11 knots, the craft can carry 18 personnel.
• Make in India Initiative: This vessel is the first in a series of five DSCs being constructed by TRSL under the Ministry of Defence's Make in India initiative.
• Historic Achievement: DSC A20 is the first Indian Naval Commissioned Vessel built and delivered by a private shipyard in Bengal.

Strategic Importance

The DSC A20 is designed to play a crucial role in supporting critical underwater operations such as repair, maintenance, and salvage of ships inside and around harbors. Additionally, it will serve as a training platform for the Navy's diving cadre, enhancing operational readiness.

Titagarh's Growing Maritime Presence

Umesh Chowdhary, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, "The handover of DSC A20 is an important milestone for Titagarh and a reflection of our growing role in India's maritime sector. We are proud to contribute to the Navy's operational readiness through vessels built entirely in India."

Expansion Plans

TRSL is set to further strengthen its position in the maritime sector:

• The company's Board has approved transferring the shipbuilding business into a wholly-owned subsidiary, Titagarh Naval Systems.
• TRSL is establishing a new state-of-the-art shipyard at Falta, south of Kolkata.
• The new facility will be capable of handling ships up to 180 meters in length and producing 12-16 vessels annually.
• Titagarh Naval Systems will have an order book above ₹575 crores (including taxes).

Track Record and Future Outlook

TRSL's Shipbuilding and Maritime Systems Division has already delivered more than 35 vessels, including coastal research ships for various government agencies. The establishment of Titagarh Naval Systems is expected to allow TRSL to focus on its core railway systems business while enabling aggressive growth in the shipbuilding sector.

As India continues to emphasize indigenous design and shipbuilding capacity, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the nation's maritime defense and shipbuilding industry.

Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) has achieved a significant milestone in its shipbuilding journey by launching the third indigenously built Diving Support Craft (DSC) for the Indian Navy. This launch marks a crucial step in TRSL's commitment to the 'Make in India' initiative and solidifies its position in the naval shipbuilding sector.

Key Highlights of the Launch

• The DSC is part of a series of five vessels being built for the Indian Navy.
• The launch ceremony took place at TRSL's Falta shipyard, with the vessel being side-launched into the Hooghly River.
• Mrs. Kangana Berry, wife of Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, Commander-in-Chief, performed the traditional naming and launch of the vessel.

Diving Support Craft Specifications

The DSCs are catamaran-type vessels designed with advanced equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers. These crafts are crucial for supporting the Indian Navy's Command Clearance Diving Teams (CCDTs) in various underwater operations, including:

• Repair and maintenance of ships
• Salvage operations inside and around harbors
• Serving as advanced training platforms for the Navy's diving cadre

Titagarh's Growing Maritime Portfolio

TRSL's Shipbuilding and Maritime Systems (SMS) Division has demonstrated its capabilities in delivering complex, high-precision vessels for the armed forces. Some notable achievements include:

• Delivery of more than 35 advanced vessels
• Construction of Coastal Research Vessels for the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
• Projects for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard
• Strategic projects such as ICGS Kamla Devi (FPV) and MV Ma Lisha (Cargo RoPax) for Guyana

Strategic Developments

TRSL is making significant moves to strengthen its position in the shipbuilding sector:

1. New Entity Creation: The board has approved the creation of a new entity, Titagarh Naval Systems, to house the shipbuilding business.
2. Robust Order Book: The shipbuilding division boasts an order book exceeding ₹575.00 crore.
3. Expansion Plans: TRSL has acquired a jetty and adjoining land for expanding its Falta shipyard.
4. New Projects: The company has received a Letter of Intent (LOI) from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) for the construction of two Coastal Research Vessels for the Geological Survey of India.

Future Outlook

Umesh Chowdhary, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of TRSL, emphasized the company's growing capabilities in naval shipbuilding and defense manufacturing. He stated, "The launch of the third DSC highlights Titagarh's growing capabilities in naval shipbuilding and defence manufacturing, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner to the Indian Navy."

With these developments, Titagarh Rail Systems Limited is poised to play an increasingly important role in India's maritime sector, contributing to the nation's self-reliance in shipbuilding and aligning with key initiatives such as the National Shipbuilding Mission and the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy.

As TRSL continues to expand its maritime portfolio and capabilities, it is set to become a significant player in India's growing shipbuilding industry, supporting both defense and civilian maritime needs.