What New Vessels Did Cochin Shipyard Launch to Enhance India’s Maritime Power?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three advanced vessels launched by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
- Highlights India’s shipbuilding and engineering capabilities.
- ASW SWC enhances coastal defense for the Indian Navy.
- DCI Dredge Godavari supports critical maritime infrastructure.
- Hybrid Electric CSOV marks entry into offshore wind sector.
Kochi, Oct 18 (NationPress) Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), recognized as India’s premier shipbuilder under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, achieved a remarkable feat on Saturday by simultaneously unveiling three cutting-edge vessels: an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), a Hybrid Electric Methanol-Ready Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), and the nation’s largest Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari.
The trio of launches highlights India’s expanding expertise in sophisticated shipbuilding, eco-friendly technology, and offshore engineering.
The ASW SWC, designed for the Indian Navy, is the sixth in a series of eight vessels intended to replace the Navy’s Abhay-class corvettes.
Upon commissioning as INS Magdala, the 78-meter vessel will bolster coastal anti-submarine operations with advanced underwater sensors, lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and mine-laying capabilities.
The launch ceremony took place in the morning, attended by CSL CMD Madhu S. Nair and senior naval officials.
In the afternoon, the launch of India’s largest dredger, the 12,000-cubic-meter DCI Dredge Godavari, developed in partnership with Royal IHC of the Netherlands, was celebrated.
Constructed on the Beagle platform, this 127-meter vessel will play a vital role in port development, land reclamation, and sustaining navigable waterways.
This project, awarded in 2022 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, exemplifies India’s capabilities in delivering large-scale maritime infrastructure aligned with the Port-led development vision.
The third vessel, a 93-meter-long Hybrid Electric Methanol-Ready CSOV, signifies CSL’s entry into the offshore wind support vessel sector.
Equipped with hybrid propulsion, methanol-ready engines, DP2 dynamic positioning, and a motion-compensated gangway, this ship will facilitate the construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms while ensuring high environmental performance and crew comfort.
CMD Madhu S. Nair remarked that the triple launch signifies India’s evolution from a shipbuilding nation to a technology-oriented maritime force.
“These initiatives merge indigenous innovation with global collaborations, advancing both defense readiness and sustainable offshore development,” he stated.
CSL, one of India’s largest shipbuilding and repair facilities, remains a cornerstone in defense and commercial shipbuilding.
The new launches reinforce its status as a reliable partner for innovative maritime solutions, consistent with the Maritime India Vision 2030.