Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), India's flagship shipbuilder, is steering towards a greener future by focusing on the construction of environmentally friendly vessels. With an impressive order book valued at over ₹22,000 crore, encompassing 65 ships for both domestic and international clients, including the Indian Navy, CSL is at the forefront of India's shipbuilding industry.
This strategic shift comes amidst growing global concerns about carbon emissions and their impact on climate change. The maritime industry is undergoing a transformation, with a focus on building 'green ships' powered by less-polluting fuels such as methanol, electricity, green hydrogen, and hybrid batteries.
CSL's Chairman and Managing Director, Madhu S. Nair, highlighted the company's commitment to this transition. He stated that while the majority of orders are for naval and coastal ships, CSL is actively engaged in constructing green ships for international clients, utilizing technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, methanol, electricity, and hybrid systems.
To further enhance its capabilities in this domain, CSL is exploring technology transfer agreements with European shipping technology companies. This will enable them to scale up production and manufacture these new-age vessels for both domestic and global markets.
In addition to international collaborations, CSL is also developing its own indigenous technologies. Nair mentioned a ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, currently being tested on inland waterways near Varanasi. This serves as a technology demonstrator and will pave the way for future commercial production of green vessels.
CSL's recent investments of ₹3,000 crore in a new dry dock and an international ship repair facility in Kochi are expected to significantly boost its ship repair capacity. The company is also exploring the establishment of another ship repair facility on the West Coast to cater to the growing demand.
While CSL's Udupi and Hooghly facilities primarily serve international clients and high-technology products, the Kochi facility will cater to the Indian Navy's requirements and focus on new technology demonstrator products, including the production of large-sized vessels.
Earlier this month, CSL achieved a significant milestone by laying the keel of India's largest dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari. This technologically advanced dredger, built in collaboration with Royal IHC, Netherlands, will significantly enhance India's maritime capabilities.
With its focus on green shipbuilding, technological advancements, and strategic investments, Cochin Shipyard Ltd is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of India's maritime industry and contributing to a more sustainable global shipping landscape.
