Posted on September 25, 2024
India’s prominent Shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), will construct 65 ships worth 22,000 crores fueled by green energy for Indian and international clients, including the Indian Navy.
As the maritime sector strives to decarbonise and reduce its carbon footprint, green ships that use less pollution-causing fuels, like green hydrogen, methanol, electricity, and hybrid batteries, are becoming popular.
CSL will make ships using these green technologies for Western markets. It is also striving for technology transfer agreements with some European Shipping Technology Companies to complete the manufacturing of modern ships for Indian and international markets.
CSL is state-run, and its primary manufacturing space is in Kochi. It has subsidiary companies, one in Kolkata and another in Udupi, Karnataka, which manufactures coastal vessels and green ships for Indian and European clients.
It also has three small ship repair facilities in Mumbai, Port Blair and Kolkata.
CSL invested around 3000 crores in 2024 to complete work on a new 310 m long dry dock and another ship repair facility at Kochi. This would boost capacity as the new facility would handle over 160 ships rather than the 100 ships it caters to now.
Another ship repair facility might be built on the West Coast to cater to the demand from passing ships.
The Udupi and Hooghly facilities will serve mostly international clients and green ships, green tugs, and coastal vessels ordered by Western clients.
The Kochi facility would cater to the Indian Navy and new technology demonstrator products, including large-sized ships.
CSL also laid the keel of India’s biggest dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari, a major milestone in the nation’s maritime capabilities.
The trailing suction hopper dredger, with a 12,000 m3 capacity, was constructed for Dredging Corporation of India Ltd. in collaboration with Royal IHC, Netherlands.
After its commissioning, it will become the most advanced dredger ever constructed in India.
