Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s leading shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has signed a contract for the construction of three 70 Tonne Bollard Pull Tugs with its existing customer and leading Indian tug operator, Ocean Sparkle Limited (OSL), an Adani Harbor Services Limited Company. The contract was signed by Shri Harikumar A, CEO, UCSL and Shri Hiren Shah, MD and CEO, OSL.
UCSL had earlier contracted construction of two 62 Tonne 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.
The new ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) 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). The tugs are designed by Robert Allan Limited, a world leading design house for harbour tugs. They will be built under Indian Flag and classed with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
The tugs will conform to the ASTDS (Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications), promulgated by the Government of India, in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Build 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 construction of 2 ASD tugs of 70 Tonne 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 UCSL yard in Malpe, Karanataka. Polestar Maritime Limited has also placed a repeat order on UCSL for construction of one more 70 Tonne Bollard Pull tug.
“We are extremely happy to be chosen again as the preferred partner by Ocean Sparkle Limited and Polestar Maritime Limited for construction of tugs for augmenting their fleet. Both CSL and our subsidiary UCSL are committed to delivering high quality tugs bench marking construction cycle time with emphasis on sustainable solutions, to serve the evolving maritime eco system,” said Mr. Madhu Nair, CMD, Cochin Shipyard and Chairman of UCSL.
