UCSL Secures Contract for Design and Construction of Dry Cargo Vessels

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has clinched a substantial international contract from Wilson ASA of Norway. The contract involves the design and construction of four 6300 TDW Dry Cargo Vessels, following a prior contract awarded in June 2023 for six 3800 TDW vessels currently under construction at UCSL’s Udupi yard in Karnataka.

The vessels, designed by Conoship International of the Netherlands, will feature environmentally friendly diesel-electric propulsion systems and are tailored for transporting general cargo in European coastal waters. Each vessel will measure 100 meters in length and boast a deadweight of 6300 metric tonnes at a design draft of 6.5 meters.

Financially, the project, inclusive of the initial six vessels, amounts to approximately Rs 1,100 crores, with completion slated for September 2028. The announcement spurred a 4.40% surge in Cochin Shipyard’s stock price, underscoring investor confidence in CSL’s expanding capabilities and strategic gains from new contracts.

Wilson ASA, a prominent European short sea fleet operator based in Bergen, Norway, transports around 15 million tonnes of dry cargo annually across Europe with a fleet of about 130 vessels ranging from 1500 to 8500 DWT. Their selection of UCSL underscores trust in its capacity to deliver high-quality vessels punctually.

UCSL’s recent accomplishments include delivering specialized tugs under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and securing additional orders for 70T Bollard Pull Tugs. These achievements reinforce UCSL’s growing reputation and competence in global shipbuilding.

This success positions UCSL prominently in the international shipbuilding sector, bolstered by partnerships in design innovation and sustainable technology adoption.