CSL Group - Experts & Thought Leaders

Steel cutting ceremony of the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) for Indian Navy was held on 16 Dec 2024 at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. Commodore S Parthiban, Warship Production Superintendent, Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Kochi, conducted the steel cutting of the first steel plate for Ship No. BY-531. Shri KN Sreejith, Director (Operations), Shri Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director (Ship Repairs), Shri S Harikrishnan, Executive Director (Shipbuilding) of CSL, and senior officials of Indian Navy & CSL, representatives from the DNV Classification society, officers, supervisors and workmen of CSL were also present for the ceremony. The steel-cutting ceremony is one of the initial milestones in the vessel construction process. Contract for construction of NGMV CSL signed the contract for the construction and supply of 6 NGMVs for the Indian Navy on 30 Mar 2023  Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), signed the contract for construction and supply of six (06) Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) for Indian Navy on 30 Mar 2023. The order value for these six (06) vessels is ₹9804 Crores. Delivery of the first ship will be in March 2027 and will remain in subsequent years. This marks CSL’s entry into construction of advanced weapon intense platforms for Indian Navy. The ships are envisaged as high-speed vessels with formidable array of weapon and sensors, including Surface to Surface Missile system, Anti-Missile Defense System, Air Surveillance and Fire Control Radars. Local Naval Defense operations The primary role of the NGMV would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warship, merchantmen and land targets. These ships will be capable of conducting Maritime Strike Operations, Anti Surface Warfare Operations and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships especially at choke points. In defensive role, these ships would be employed for Local Naval Defense operations and Seaward Defense of Offshore Development Area. The vessels will also be equipped with highly advanced state-of-the-art integrated platform management systems, propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery, power generation and distribution machinery, damage control machinery, etc. The ship will have a complement of total 80 personal and having a maximum speed of 33 knots.

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a hybrid-electric propulsion system for an 11,000 dwt Limestone Carrier. The vessel was contracted by Montreal-based CSL Group (“CSL”) with CCCC Shanghai Equipment Engineering and Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q1 2024. The order reflects CSL’s focus on reducing its emissions profile via a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy. Wärtsilä has been closely involved in developing the concept for the hybrid-electric propulsion system selected to optimise the engine and battery loading for the ship’s operating conditions. The system will provide redundancy when operating in confined waters to improve safety, while at the same time improving efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. Hybrid diesel and battery system Aim is to run the ship entirely on electric power, further reducing carbon emissions to less than 10% “We require an electrically integrated hybrid-powered propulsion solution from a single-source supplier capable of providing lifecycle support. Wärtsilä was selected for our newbuild project because of their proven ability, experience and track record in delivering high-quality electrification and hybridisation systems,” says Frédéric Jauvin, CSL’s Vice-President, Global Technical Services. The Limestone Carrier, when delivered in 2026, will be the world’s first fully electric battery-capable self-unloading vessel. It will initially run on a hybrid diesel and battery system, with 50% of the total battery capacity installed replacing diesel with electric power. By 2031, the aim is to run the ship entirely on electric power, further reducing carbon emissions to less than 10%. Electrification and hybridisation systems “Wärtsilä is committed to making decarbonised shipping possible, so we are delighted to be supporting CSL with solutions that enhance the sustainability of their fleet,” comments Torsten Büssow, Director, Electrical & Power Systems Business Wärtsilä Marine. “This is a short sea shipping vessel that will operate with a lot of manoeuvring and variable load profiles, and electrification and hybridisation systems are the most efficient for such vessels.” For this vessel, Wärtsilä will supply the whole hybrid electric propulsion system, including generators, DC hub, Energy and Power Management System, main propulsion e-motors, bow thruster e-motors, and the battery solution. Delivery is scheduled for early 2025.

COLI Group’s subsidiary - Asia Break Bulk (Singapore) has entered into a strategic partnership with CSL Shipping (China). CSL and ABB will work closely together to market CSL’s multi-purpose carrier - ‘Jian Yang Hua Qing’. The vessel has 2 x 250 mt cranes for loading breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo and is active for both companies as of now. Felix Peinemann, the Managing Director of the COLI Group, states: "This partnership will expand our footprint in the MPP market. COLI is steadily expanding its activities to offer clients more sailing possibilities and increase its footprint in the Chinese market. Recently, we already added the ‘MV ABB Victoria’ to our fleet, an F240-type multipurpose carrier. With this additional vessel, we can entertain an even bigger variety of cargoes and projects up to 500 tonnes lifting capacity. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with our partners at CSL Shipping.” Milestone for CSL MPP operator Asia Break Bulk and Shanghai-based CSL will jointly operate the vessel, enabling both companies to gain additional market coverage in the MPP segment and expand their availability for their global clientele. To offer clients flexibility, any commercial enquiry can be handled by CSL’s Shanghai office, ABB’s Singapore team or COLI Group’s HQ in Hamburg. Jack Lee, the Managing Director at CSL Group, says: "This partnership will strengthen our global network, so that we can offer better services to our customers. The commercial, operations and engineering teams of both companies will work in close cooperation to ensure the highest quality and standards for our joint clients. Indeed, we see this step as a big milestone for CSL."