Mumbai: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered ‘MS Maria’, the second vessel in the eight-ship HS EcoFreighter series, to Germany-based HS Schiffahrts UG & Co. KG.
The delivery marks another significant milestone in CSL’s expanding international commercial shipbuilding portfolio and highlights the company’s ability to construct technologically advanced and versatile vessels for global customers.
The Delivery and Acceptance Protocol was signed by Dr. S. Harikrishnan, Director (Operations), Cochin Shipyard, and Heinz Josef Schepers, Director, HS Schiffahrts.
MS Maria Designed for Global Cargo Operations
The HS EcoFreighter MPV ‘MS Maria’ is a 7,000 deadweight tonne (DWT) ice-class vessel designed for worldwide trading.
The vessel can carry a wide range of cargo, including:
- Heavy cargo
- Steel coils
- Containers
- Timber
- Paper
- Dry bulk cargo such as coal and grain
- Dangerous goods
The vessel’s versatile design enables it to handle different types of cargo efficiently across international trade routes.
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Groot Ship Design and DNV Standards
The vessel has been designed by Netherlands-based Groot Ship Design and constructed at Cochin Shipyard in accordance with the classification rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
DNV is an international expert organisation that establishes standards and provides classification services for ships and offshore structures.
The vessel features a raked stem with the ‘Groot Cross-Bow’ design, which has been optimised to improve speed performance and fuel efficiency. It also has a transom stern.
Flexible Cargo Configuration
MS Maria is equipped with a single large cargo hold featuring six movable panels, allowing the vessel to accommodate different cargo configurations.
The flexible cargo arrangement includes:
- Grain bulkheads that can be positioned at multiple locations
- Tween deck arrangement
- Capability to handle different cargo types
This flexibility makes the vessel suitable for a broad range of commercial shipping operations.
Advanced Propulsion System
The vessel is powered by a medium-speed four-stroke diesel engine.
The engine drives a controllable pitch propeller (CPP) through a reduction gearbox, providing the vessel with an efficient and adaptable propulsion system for international operations.
CSL Expands Global Commercial Shipbuilding Presence
The delivery of MS Maria further strengthens Cochin Shipyard’s position in the international commercial shipbuilding market.
The successful construction and delivery of the vessel demonstrates CSL’s growing capabilities in building advanced, versatile merchant vessels for international shipowners.
As the second vessel in the eight-ship HS EcoFreighter series, MS Maria also represents continued progress in CSL’s relationship with HS Schiffahrts and its international commercial shipbuilding programme.
About Cochin Shipyard Limited
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is one of India’s leading shipbuilding and ship repair companies. A public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, CSL builds and repairs commercial vessels, defence ships, and specialized marine assets. The company plays an important role in strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure and supporting the country’s shipbuilding capabilities.
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