Bergen, Norway – Wilson ASA, a prominent short sea fleet operator, has placed an order for eight 6,300-ton dry cargo vessels with Udupi Cochin Shipyard Ltd, a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Ltd based in Karnataka, India. This order follows a previous contract awarded in June 2023 for six 3,800-ton dry cargo vessels, which are currently in advanced stages of construction at the Udupi yard.
The total value of the new order is approximately Rs 1,100 crores. These vessels, designed by Netherlands-based Conoship International, are environmentally friendly diesel-electric vessels intended for transporting general cargo in the coastal waters of Europe. The orders are scheduled to be completed by September 2028.
Wilson ASA operates a fleet of around 130 vessels ranging from 1,500 to 8,500 tons, transporting approximately 15 million tons of dry cargo across Europe annually. The decision to place these orders in Indian shipyards reflects European ship owners’ efforts to modernize their fleet in compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
