Media Release
Udupi, Sep 20: Marking the revival of shipbuilding industry in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited, the central public sector shipyard in Karnataka launched 62 T bollard pull tug for Ocean Sparkle Limited, an Adani Group company.
Udupi-CSL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited, the premier shipyard in India with strong presence in India and Europe, and has built prestigious aircraft carrier. INS Vikrant for government of India. Adani Harbour Services Limited & Ocean Sparkle Limited owns around 100 tugs and are the largest tug owner and operator in India.
Ritu Sanjay Kumar Kewalramani, wife of Sanjay Kumar Kewalramani, chief operating officer, The Adani Harbour Services Limited & Ocean Sparkle Limited did the honours of naming and launching of the vessel on September 20 in the presence of Madhu S Nair, chairman & managing director, Cochin Shipyard Limited, Bejoy Bhaskar, director (technical), Cochin Shipyard Limited, Harikumar A, chief executive officer, Udupi-CSL, Shankar Nataraj, chief financial officer, Udupi-CSL and other dignitaries.
Dr K Vidya Kumari, deputy commissioner & district magistrate, Udupi district, Anshu kumar, superindent of police, Coastal Security Police graced the occasion along with senior officials and dignitaries from state and district departments.
The 62T bollard pull Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugs, are primarily intended for harbour towing & ship assist in Indian ports. firefighting & coastal towing are also assigned as secondary roles.
The main particulars of the vessel include a length overall (LOA) of 33.00 meters (excluding fenders), breadth moulded of 11.9 metres, and depth moulded of 5.40 meters. The vessel has an international gross tonnage of less than 500 GT and will accommodate a crew of up to 12 persons.
The static bollard pull ahead shall be 62 tonnes and has a guaranteed speed of 12.5 knots. The vessel will be built under Indian flag and classed under Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
This is also the first tug being built under Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications (ASTDS) promulgated by government of India for standardising tugs operating in India, and is a milestone achievement under Atma Nirbhar Bharat programme.
Udupi-CSL has also contracted 70 tonne bollard pull tugs (2 nos) for Polestar Maritime Limited and 3800 TDW Future Proof Dry Cargo Vessels for M/s. Wilson ASA, Norway (6 nos). Deep Sea Fishing Boats for Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) are also under construction at the yard.
Cochin Shipyard Limited had taken over Tebma Shipyards Limited in September 2020, and the yard was revived in a short time to commence its operation in August 2021.