May 16, 2023
No Comments
India’s first indigenously built Hydrogen-powered electric ship is expected to be successfully delivered by March–April 2023, mentioned Madhu S Nair, the Chairman and MD of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), as reported by ANI.
At a press conference on Thursday in Kochi, Nair mentioned that the building of India’s first-ever indigenous hydrogen-powered electric vessel is the country’s pilot project. The engineering of the assignment is complete, and the construction is expected to kick start soon as the order for the equipment necessary is placed.
He informed that the fuel cell would be manufactured by a Pune-based major that relies on Indian technology, and the delivery is expected by March-April 2023.
The CMD was approached regarding the ship-lift-based shipyard. He reportedly stated that the estimated amount at Kochi’s Wellington Island is INR 970 crore.
For the project, 42 acres of land have been taken on lease for 30 years, where the ship lift-based shipyard is expected to be built. This is only for medium-sized vessels with a length of about 130 meters, a width of about 25 meters, and a weight of about 6,000 tons.
In addition, he said that a parking facility for six ships and a one-and-a-half-kilometre berth would be there, adding that 77% of the project has been accomplished so far, irrespective of a delay due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Nair said that once the project is commissioned next year, Kochi will be called a ship repair hub. We’re repairing 100 vessels each year, but we will repair about 150-160 ships each year.
He said the project would also lead to economic growth, providing employment opportunities to at least 3,000 people in the shipyard. Currently, we have around 9,000 employees in the shipyard and are undertaking two expansion projects in Kochi worth about ₹2,800 crores.
Nair further informed that they now have 14 defence orders worth INR 6,500 crore and have signed the next-gene missile vessels worth about INR 9,000-10,000 crore, mentioning that they’ve accepted orders for eight vessels from Germany.
References: Live Mint, Republic World, The Print
We believe that knowledge is power, and we’re committed to empowering our readers with the information and resources they need to succeed in the merchant navy industry.
Whether you’re looking for advice on career planning, news and analysis, or just want to connect with other aspiring merchant navy applicants, The Marine Learners is the place to be.