Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Udupi-Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), announced the successful launch of the first vessel in a series of six 3800 TDW general cargo ships being constructed for Wilson ASA, a major short-sea fleet operator based in Bergen, Norway.
The launch event, held on Wednesday, was graced by Martine Aamdal Bottheim, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Wilson ASA’s CFO Einar Tornes, and CSL’s Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S. Nair.
These vessels, designed by Conoship International of the Netherlands, are environmentally friendly diesel-electric ships meant to transport general cargo along Europe’s coastal waters. Each ship has a length of 89.43 meters, a breadth of 13.2 meters, and a draft of 4.2 meters. The launch reinforces CSL’s commitment to India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and the government’s “Make-in-India” and “Make for the World” programmes.
Wilson ASA operates a fleet of around 130 vessels and transports approximately 15 million tonnes of dry cargo annually across Europe. Following the launch, the company has also signed a follow-up order for eight more vessels in two batches, scheduled for delivery in June and September of this year, bringing the total order to 14 vessels.
UCSL has established a strong reputation in the international shipbuilding market, with CSL Chairman Madhu S. Nair highlighting the success of the vessel’s construction and UCSL’s ability to meet the demanding standards of the Western European market.
UCSL’s growth is evident in its current order book, valued at over ₹1,500 crore, and its recent deliveries of high-quality tugs for major clients like Ocean Sparkle Limited and Polestar Maritime Limited. Since its acquisition by Cochin Shipyard in 2020, UCSL has turned into a profit-making shipyard within just three years.
This project marks a significant milestone for CSL and UCSL, further cementing their position as key players in the global shipbuilding industry.
