21 Mar 2023

India’s major shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), based in Cochin, Kerala, has received a prestigious international order from M/s. Samskip Group (Samskip) in Norway, a major global logistics solution provider, for the design and construction of two zero emission feeder container vessels with an option for two more vessels.

The project is one of the world’s first zero emission feeder container vessel that will be powered using hydrogen fuel cells ultimately, with green hydrogen.

Promoting emission-free transport solutions

This is an ambitious project under the Norwegian Government green funding programme

This is an ambitious project under the Norwegian Government green funding programme, aimed at emission-free transport solutions, by adopting sustainable path breaking future technologies. These ships can carry abt. 365 Nos. of 45-feet long high cube containers and are intended to serve the European market, where sustainable transportation solutions are in high demand.

Samskip is a company headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1990, with offices in 24 countries across Europe, America, Asia and Australia and Norway, offering transport and related services by land, sea, rail and air, around the world, and that focuses on cost efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly solutions.

Samskip - pioneer in European multimodal transport solutions

Samskip has emerged as a pioneer in European multimodal transport solutions to a wide range of services to customers worldwide. Samskip are experts in multimodal cargo transportation, refrigerated logistics and international forwarding.

In zero emission mode, each vessel is expected to achieve around 25,000 tonnes of CO2 reduction per year. They will achieve zero emission operations in ports also by using green shore power at the port of call.

Zero emission feeder container vessels

The vessels’ deliveries are scheduled from Quarter 3 (Q3) 2025 onwards. The vessels are equipped with hydrogen fuel cells in a hybrid power system with diesel generator back up for longer endurance. It will have an onboard storage facility for Hydrogen fuel and will be fitted with Azimuth thrusters for propulsion and high maneuverability.

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has also recently bagged contracts for construction of 2 Nos. Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV) for the European renewable offshore wind-farm segment. These vessels also employ emission reduction technologies with large capacity Li ion batteries and methanol fuelled generators.

Extensive ship building and servicing experience

CSL has been active on the international ship building arena for more than two decades

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has been active on the international ship building arena for more than two decades (having exported high end vessels to countries such as Norway, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and the Middle East).

CSL’s rich experience and proven track-record in construction of a number of high-end offshore support vessels to West Europe, coupled with its recent construction & delivery of zero emission autonomous cargo ferries to an European client has positioned it as the yard of choice for various customers who are looking for such solutions.

CSL active in defence ship building

Besides strong presence in the commercial market, the yard is also active in defence ship building, having recently delivered India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (INS Vikrant) and constructing 08 Nos. anti-submarine shallow water crafts for the Indian Navy.

With this order, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has further strengthened its position among the global league of early movers in sustainable high-end green future technology in the shipping sector.