Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited bags orders for the construction of three 70 T Bollard Pull ASD Tugs for Ocean Sparkle Limited, an Adani Harbour Services Limited company.
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of India’s pioneering shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has bagged another prestigious order from its existing customer and pioneering Indian tug operator, Ocean Sparkle Limited (OSL), an Adani Harbour Services Limited Company.
The contract, for the construction of three ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) Tugs of 70 T Bollard Pull Power was signed by Shri Harikumar A, CEO, UCSL and Shri Hiren Shah, MD and CEO, OSL.
New 70 Tonne Bollard Pull Tugs
UCSL had earlier contracted the construction of two 62 T bollard pull ASD tugs for OSL. Both these tugs were delivered by UCSL before contractual delivery dates, and have been deployed by OSL at Paradeep Port and New Mangalore Port.
UCSL had earlier contracted the construction of two 62 T bollard pull ASD tugs for OSL
These new 70 Tonne Bollard Pull Tugs will have a length of 33 Mtr, Beam of 12.2 Mtr and Draft of 4.2 Mtr. They will be propelled by two Main Engines of 1838 kW, Thrusters of 2.7 Mtr Dia, Diesel Generators of 150 kW, Forward Towing Winch, Aft Winch, Deck Crane (3T) and External Fire Fighting System (FIFI-1 - 2800 Cu Mtr per Hr).
These tugs, designed by Robert Allan Limited, world’s renowned design house for harbour tugs, will be built under Indian Flag and classed with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Construction at the UCSL yard
They will confirm to the ASTDS (Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications), promulgated by the Government of India, in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. UCSL is the first shipyard to contract and construct tugs confirming to ASTDS.
UCSL had earlier signed contracts with Polestar Maritime Limited for the construction of two ASD tugs of 70 T Bollard Pull. The first vessel has been handed over to the owners ahead of its contractual delivery date. This vessel, named ‘Konna Star’, has been put into operation at Deendayal Port, Kandla.
The second vessel of the series is under construction at the UCSL yard in Malpe, Karnataka. Polestar Maritime Limited has also placed a repeat order on UCSL for the construction of one more 70 T Bollard Pull tug.
Emphasis on sustainable solutions
UCSL has made great strides in a short span of time after a major revival since its takeover by CSL in Sep 2020. The Yard’s order book also includes six numbers of 3800 Deadweight Dry Cargo Vessels for M/s. Wilson ASA, Norway.
“We are extremely happy to be chosen again as the preferred partner by Ocean Sparkle Limited and Polestar Maritime Limited for the construction of tugs for augmenting their fleet. Both CSL and our subsidiary UCSL are committed to delivering high-quality tugs benchmarking construction cycle time with the emphasis on sustainable solutions, to serve the evolving maritime ecosystem,” said Mr. Madhu Nair, CMD, CSL, who is also the Chairman of UCSL.