The Ministry of Shipping has said that Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) signed contracts for construction and supply of two Autonomous Electric Ferry.
"Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi signed contracts for construction and supply of Two (2) nos Autonomous Electric Ferry for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway with an option to build two more identical vessels," the Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
It further said, "CSL is the largest commercial shipbuilder in India. The company clinched this prestigious export order from ASKO Maritime AS, the subsidiary group of Norges Gruppen ASA, one of the largest players in the Norwegian retail segment."
"This Autonomous Electrical vessel project is an ambitious project in Norway partially funded by the Norwegian Government aimed at emission-free transport of goods across the Oslo fjord. These vessels will be managed by M/s. Massterly AS, the first company set up to take technical management and operate autonomous vessels, a joint venture between M/s. Kongsberg, the world leader in autonomous technology and M/s. Wilhelmsen, one of the largest Maritime shipping compes," the Shipping Ministry said.
The statement said, once in operation, this vessel will create a new benchmark for the merchant shipping world in the field of Autonomous Vessels with Zero Carbon Emission.
It said the 67 meter long vessels will initially be delivered as a Full-Electric Transport Ferry, powered by 1846 kWh capacity battery. After the commissioning of autonomous equipment and field trials in Norway, it will operate as a fully autonomous ferry of ASKO that can transport 16 fully loaded Standard EU trailers in one go across the fjords.
"The vessels are designed by Naval Dynamics Norway using Kongsberg Maritime systems, with detailed engineering to be carried out by CSL. They will be built under DNV GL Classification and flagged in Norway," it said.
According to the statement, the CSL won this export order after a detailed evaluation of various global shipyards and based on its value proposition to the customer. CSL's proven capability and track record to deliver world quality high-end vessels to prestigious clients in Western Europe also found favour with the client.
CSL holds this contract, obtained within the current constraints posed by the pandemic, in high significance. CSL is already constructing 23 hybrid electric boats for the Kochi Water Metro.
This project is expected to catapult CSL into the league of premier shipbuilding yards in the world capable of handling high tech vessel construction, the statement added.
( With inputs from ANI )