Bokaro: Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has added another feather in its cap by becoming the first unit in SAIL which has received certification of Normal and High strength Ship Building Quality Steel from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
The Works Approval Certificate was given to BSL in Feb, 2024 for Hot Rolled Coils and plates/sheets in thickness 4-10mm; width 1100-1800mm.
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Following receipt of an enquiry from M/s Goa Shipyard Limited against a Tender Notice in the FY 2021-22 for ABS Grade Sheets / Plates, it was proposed by SAIL Corporate Office that Bokaro Steel Plant may initiate for obtaining its Works Approval Certificate.
Since then, Research and Control Laboratory (RCL), BSL along with RDCIS, Bokaro Centre undertook efforts to make a feasibility study for production at BSL with the existing facilities and decided to process for certification of Normal and High strength Ship Building Quality Steel from ABS and IRS.
Thereafter, procedure for the Approval of Manufacturers of Hull Structural Steel was processed. BSL undertook the project in 2022 and after multiple levels of rigorous process audit at its SMS-II & CCS, HSM and HRCF units, material testing at RCL and specific Weldability Test undertaken at Welding Research Institute (WRI) under the aegis of Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) at Trichy, certification requirements of ABS and IRS could be complied with.
The steel that BSL will supply under this certification will be used in the ship hull of commercial ships which is the watertight enclosure of the ship that protects the cargo, machinery and accommodation spaces of the ship.
Notably, BSL has been supplying steel for various strategic naval applications including submarines, frigates, Diving Support Vessel (DSV) etc since long. However, with this certification, steel for commercial ships will also now be supplied by BSL.
