Udupi Cochin Shipyard puts coastal Karnataka on global maritime map

Ship building activity has gathered momentum in coastal Karnataka with Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), launching the first of the six 3800 TDW (tonnes of dead-weight) dry cargo vessels for Wilson ASA of Norway at its facility in Malpe, in Udupi district, on December 16.

Scheduled for delivery in February 2025, the vessel will be followed by delivery of another five similar ones and then eight 6300 TDW dry cargo vessels to the same client. Apart from these, the ship building entity under the public sector in Karnataka has orders for construction of different capacities of Bollard Pull ASD (Azimuth Stern Drive) tugs.

It was in September 2020 that CSL acquired Tebma Shipyard Limited, which had run into insolvency proceedings through the National Company Law Tribunal, Chennai. Beginning operations in February 2021 and getting renamed UCSL in April 2022, the company did not look back, partially due to the strong backing of its parent company Cochin Shipyard Limited. CSL’s presence in the commercial shipbuilding market helped its subsidiary not only to get orders for vessels but also to strengthen the dilapidated infrastructure of Tebma Shipyard at Malpe, according to UCSL. Tebma was initially founded as a private limited company in 1984 and became a public limited company later.

The first of the six 3800 TDW short sea general cargo vessels, on orders from Wilson ASA, Norway, being launched on December 16 at Udupi Cochin Shipyard Ltd.,  at Malpe, Udupi district.
| Photo Credit:
UMESH S SHETTIGAR

Constructing fishing boats

UCSL began by constructing fishing boats under the Prime Minister’s Matsya Sampada Yojana for coastal States. It went on to manufacture 100 passenger aluminium ferries for Kochi Water Metro as per an order from Cochin Shipyard. These small but vital projects tested the mettle of the team as they concurrently worked to strengthen manpower and implement robust quality systems. Despite initial teething troubles, Udupi CSL was able to overcome them and establish itself as a strong ship builder in the region.

Udupi CSL had the first major breakthrough with an order for two 62T Bollard Pull Tugs from Ocean Sparkle Limited, which is India’s largest tug operator, of Adani Group. This was followed by another order for two 70T Bollard Pull Tugs from Polestar Maritime Limited.

Despite concerns about delivery timelines, UCSL delivered all the commercial projects ahead of schedule. This achievement, according to UCSL, marked a significant milestone reinforcing the yard’s credibility.

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Ltd. has built Bollard Pull Tug boats of 62T and 70T for its customers at its facility in Malpe, Udupi District. 
| Photo Credit:
UMESH S SHETTIGAR

Going global

The turning point for Udupi-CSL was its engagement with Wilson ASA, Norway- Europe’s largest short sea shipowner, in February 2023. Wilson ASA’s confidence in the yard’s infrastructure, project management, and leadership led to a landmark order, propelling Udupi-CSL’s order book to cross ₹500 crore. This international recognition laid the foundation for its entry into the global market.

According to Cochin Shipyard Limited Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S. Nair, who is also the Chairman of Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited, CSL’s association with Norway, a global shipping hub for decades, helped its subsidiary Udupi CSL, to bag the international orders. In May 2023, Wilson ASA initially placed orders for six future-proof 3800 TDW dry cargo vessels that would be operated on short sea routes in Europe.

Of the six vessels, Udupi CSL recently launched the inaugural vessel at its facility in Malpe while another vessel is under final stages of construction. The launched vessel would undergo extensive testing and equipment fitting before being delivered to Wilson ASA in February 2025, Mr. Nair said.

The 3,800 TDW vessels are designed by Conoship International, Netherlands, and are being constructed as environmentally-friendly diesel-electric vessels. They would be 89.43 metres long, 13.2 metres wide, have a draft of 4.3 metres, and with top speed of 10.3 knots. They were future-proof, eco-friendly vessels equipped for installation of the ventofoil system for wind-assisted propulsion in the future.

Wilson ASA placed repeat orders for vessels with higher capacity — eight numbers of 6,300 TDW dry cargo vessels — in two batches, in June and September 2024.

The tugs, designed by Robert Allan Limited, the world’s leading design house for harbour tugs, would be built under the Indian flag.
| Photo Credit:
UMESH S SHETTIGAR

Orders for more tugs

In May 2024, Ocean Sparkle Limited (OSL), an Adani Harbor Services Limited Company, placed repeat orders for three ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) tugs of 70 T Bollard Pull Power.

Earlier, UCSL had delivered two 62 T bollard pull ASD tugs to OSL before the contractual delivery date. These tugs were deployed by OSL at Paradeep port and in New Mangalore port.

The tugs, designed by Robert Allan Limited, the world’s leading design house for harbour tugs, would be built under the Indian flag. The tugs would conform to the ASTDS (Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications) of the Union Government in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

UCSL was the first shipyard to contract and construct tugs conforming to ASTDS.

UCSL received orders for three similar tugs from Polestar Maritime Limited, of which one was delivered ahead of the deadline.

Almost all the inputs for constructing vessels, including the marine-grade steel, were being procured locally from Mangaluru and Udupi
| Photo Credit:
UMESH S SHETTIGAR

Aligning locally

UCSL CEO A. Harikumar says the shipyard’s success is not limited to its order book. It has fostered robust relationships with stakeholders, suppliers, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Simultaneously, it prioritised building a skilled workforce through systematic recruitment and the implementation of an Integrated Management System. The extension of its leased land with Karnataka Maritime Board, and infrastructure upgrades ensured sustainable growth.

The shipyard, Harikumar said, has been supporting the MSMEs in the region. Almost all the inputs for constructing vessels, including the marine-grade steel, were being procured locally from Mangaluru and Udupi. Besides helping growth of ancillary industries, the yard would also offer internships and training to ITI candidates from the region.

The fabrication facility at Hangarkatte employs around 250 persons. 
| Photo Credit:
UMESH S SHETTIGAR

Expansion plans

UCSL has plans to expand the Udupi facility to enhance production and generate more jobs for the local people. The operations, planning and design facility at Malpe employs around 600 persons. The fabrication facility at Hangarkatte employs around 250 persons. The companies are in talks with the government of Karnataka for some more land at Hangarkatte while capacity augmentation is under process at Malpe. Once the process is completed, the Malpe facility could employ around 1,000 persons, and the Hangarkatte about 600 persons. UCSL also intends to improve the lives of people around its facilities through corporate social responsibility activities.

Cochin Shipyard Limited, Mr. Nair said, wants Udupi CLS to focus on tugs and short-sea vessels. Both CSL and UCSL were working towards realising the ‘Vision 2047’ of bringing India under the top 10 shipbuilding countries in the world.