Cochin Shipyard Launches Three State-of-the-Art Vessels, Marking a Milestone in Indian Shipbuilding

Strengthens India’s Maritime and Offshore Capabilities

Kochi, October 19: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India’s leading shipbuilder under the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, on Saturday launched three technologically advanced vessels – The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), the Hybrid Electric Methanol-Ready Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), and India’s largest Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari. The triple launch, marks a major milestone in India’s shipbuilding and maritime engineering sector, highlighting the nation’s engineering excellence, indigenisation drive, and commitment to sustainable maritime development under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of Government of India.

The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), built for the Indian Navy, was launched by Renu Rajaram wife of Vice Admiral R. Swaminathan, AVSM, NM, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, Naval Headquarters, Indian Navy, New Delhi.

The Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD), with a hopper capacity of 12,000 Cubic Meters Capacity, built for the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), was launched by Sirobhushanam Sujatha of DCI.

The Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), specially designed to support the construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms by transporting personnel and equipment and serving as a floating base for wind turbine specialists, was launched by Smt Vasantha, wife of B. Kasiviswanathan, Chairperson, Cochin Port Authority.

The event was held as two different ceremonies. The launching of ASW SWC was held at Morning. The ceremony was presided over by Madhu S. Nair, CMD, CSL, along with senior officials from the Indian Navy and CSL.

The launching of the Dredger and the Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) was held in the afternoon. The ceremony was presided over by B. Kasiviswanathan, IRSME, Shri M. Angamuthu, Chairman, Dredging Corporation of India and Andre Groeneveld, CEO of Pelagic Wind Services, Madhu S. Nair, CMD, CSL, along with senior officials from CSL.

ASW Shallow Water Craft for the Indian Navy – Sixth in the Series

This is the sixth vessel in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) being constructed for the Indian Navy at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The vessel will bear the name “INS Magdala” upon commissioning into the Navy.

Designed and built indigenously, the ASW SWC is a 78-meter-long, 896-tonne craft capable of achieving speeds up to 25 knots. It is equipped with advanced underwater sensors, lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and mine-laying capability. The vessel can also conduct low-intensity maritime operations, coordinated ASW missions with aircraft, and search and rescue operations in coastal waters.

This ASW SWC class will replace the Indian Navy’s Abhay-class corvettes, significantly strengthening India’s near-shore anti-submarine capabilities with enhanced automation, manoeuvrability, and endurance.

Cochin Shipyard Crafts India’s Largest Dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has expertly engineered and built a massive Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger for the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), marking a landmark achievement in India’s maritime and engineering sectors. Developed in collaboration with Royal IHC, Netherlands, a global leader in dredger design, the vessel combines proven international technology with features customized for Indian ports and waterways.

The contract for this 12,000 cubic meter dredger was signed in March 2022 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reflecting India’s growing capability in complex shipbuilding. Built on the internationally acclaimed “Beagle” platform, the dredger was officially named DCI Dredge Godavari during the launching ceremony. This dredger will play a critical role in port shaping, land reclamation, maintaining navigable waterways, and supporting offshore infrastructure – all vital for economic growth and environmental management.

The vessel measures 127 meters in length and 28.4 meters in breadth, with a hopper capacity of 12,000 cubic meters. It can dredge to a depth of 36 meters and has a top operational speed of 15 knots. This project not only enhances India’s maritime capabilities but also demonstrates the country’s growing expertise in large-scale shipbuilding and marine engineering, reinforcing the objectives of the Port-led development initiative of the Government of India.

Hybrid Electric Methanol-Ready Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV)

The launch of the Hybrid Electric Methanol-Ready CSOV (Hull No. BY 151) marks a major step for CSL in the rapidly growing offshore renewable energy sector. This 93-meter-long, 19.6-meter-wide vessel will support the commissioning, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind turbines.

Equipped with hybrid-electric propulsion, methanol-ready engines, large lithium-ion battery packs, dynamic positioning (DP2), and a motion-compensated gangway system, the CSOV ensures safe and efficient operations even in rough seas. It also serves as a floating hotel for offshore technicians, built to world-class comfort and noise standards.

This project reinforces CSL’s global reputation as a reliable partner for cutting-edge, sustainable shipbuilding solutions in the offshore wind energy sector.CSL has consistently played a pivotal role in advancing India’s maritime and defence capabilities and is a trusted partner for both domestic and international clients. These recent launches further bolster CSL’s position as a global shipbuilding leader.