Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has achieved a significant milestone by securing Lloyd’s Register certification for indigenous shipbuilding steel grades used in marine applications. This development strengthens India’s push for self-reliance in strategic steel production.
Certification Details
The final approval marks the successful completion of an extensive technical development and quality qualification program, according to Manikant Dhan, Chief of Communication at BSL. Lloyd’s Register certification is globally recognized as proof that a product, system, or process meets stringent standards for safety, quality, and environmental compliance. Officials stated that this approval is a major breakthrough for India’s domestic shipbuilding and maritime sectors.
Challenges Overcome
One of the toughest hurdles in the certification process was meeting strict international norms on welding procedures, welder qualification, and the selection of suitable welding consumables. To satisfy Lloyd’s Register requirements, BSL undertook extensive technical evaluations, documentation, welding trials, and procedural refinements.
Technical Collaboration
During the program, advanced welding techniques such as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) were rigorously tested and optimized. SAIL’s Research and Development Centre for Iron and Steel (RDCIS) worked closely with BSL’s Research and Control Laboratory, while the Welding Research Institute and other agencies provided technical support to meet all qualification requirements.
This certification positions BSL as a key supplier of high-quality steel for the maritime industry, supporting India’s goal of becoming self-sufficient in defense and commercial shipbuilding.
