Udupi Cochin Shipyard puts coastal Karnataka on global maritime map Premium

The turning point for Udupi-CSL was its engagement with Wilson ASA, Norway - Europe’s largest short sea shipowner. Wilson ASA’s confidence in the yard’s infrastructure, project management, and leadership led to a landmark order, propelling Udupi-CSL’s order book to cross ₹500 crore. This international recognition laid the foundation for its entry into the global market.

Ship building activity has gathered momentum in coastal Karnataka with Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), launching the first of the six 3800 TDW (tonnes of dead-weight) dry cargo vessels for Wilson ASA of Norway at its facility in Malpe, in Udupi district, on December 16.

Scheduled for delivery in February 2025, the vessel will be followed by delivery of another five similar ones and then eight 6300 TDW dry cargo vessels to the same client. Apart from these, the ship building entity under the public sector in Karnataka has orders for construction of different capacities of Bollard Pull ASD (Azimuth Stern Drive) tugs.

It was in September 2020 that CSL acquired Tebma Shipyard Limited, which had run into insolvency proceedings through the National Company Law Tribunal, Chennai. Beginning operations in February 2021 and getting renamed UCSL in April 2022, the company did not look back, partially due to the strong backing of its parent company Cochin Shipyard Limited. CSL’s presence in the commercial shipbuilding market helped its subsidiary not only to get orders for vessels but also to strengthen the dilapidated infrastructure of Tebma Shipyard at Malpe, according to UCSL. Tebma was initially founded as a private limited company in 1984 and became a public limited company later.

UCSL began by constructing fishing boats under the Prime Minister’s Matsya Sampada Yojana for coastal States. It went on to manufacture 100 passenger aluminium ferries for Kochi Water Metro as per an order from Cochin Shipyard. These small but vital projects tested the mettle of the team as they concurrently worked to strengthen manpower and implement robust quality systems. Despite initial teething troubles, Udupi CSL was able to overcome them and establish itself as a strong ship builder in the region.

Udupi CSL had the first major breakthrough with an order for two 62T Bollard Pull Tugs from Ocean Sparkle Limited, which is India’s largest tug operator, of Adani Group. This was followed by another order for two 70T Bollard Pull Tugs from Polestar Maritime Limited.

Despite concerns about delivery timelines, UCSL delivered all the commercial projects ahead of schedule. This achievement, according to UCSL, marked a significant milestone reinforcing the yard’s credibility.

The turning point for Udupi-CSL was its engagement with Wilson ASA, Norway- Europe’s largest short sea shipowner, in February 2023. Wilson ASA’s confidence in the yard’s infrastructure, project management, and leadership led to a landmark order, propelling Udupi-CSL’s order book to cross ₹500 crore. This international recognition laid the foundation for its entry into the global market.