KOCHI:
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, today signed a contract for construction and supply of eight (08) Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWCs) for Indian Navy. CSL was the successful bidder (L1) in the tender floated by the Ministry of Defence for this project.
The order value for these eight (08) vessels is pegged at Rs 6,311.32 Crore. The first ship is to be delivered within 42 months from contract signing date and subsequent balance ships delivery schedule will be two (02) ships per year. The project will have to be completed within 84 months from date of signing the contract.
These Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWCs) are designed for a deep displacement of about 750 tonne, speed of 25 knots and complement of 57 and capable of full scale sub surface surveillance of coastal waters and co-ordinated ASW operations with aircraft. In addition, the vessels will have the capability to interdict/destroy sub surface targets in coastal waters. They can also be deployed for search and rescue by day and night in coastal areas. In their secondary role, they will be capable to prosecute intruding aircraft, and lay mines in the sea bed.
The vessels will be equipped with highly advanced state-of-the-art integrated platform management systems including propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery, power generation and distribution machinery and damage control machinery etc. The ASWSWC Corvette’s are also being built Class standards, in addition to the owner specific requirements.
The ASWSWC contracts augur well for CSL into the future. CSL is currently investing a total of Rs 2,769 Crore in building a new 310 M long dry dock at Kochi and a shiplift based Ship Repair yard at Willingdon Island, Kochi. CSL presently has a robust order book in Shipbuilding and Ship Repair.
Presently, CSL is building India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) for the Indian Navy which is in advanced stages of testing and commissioning. CSL is also building a Technology Demonstration Vessel for the DRDO, 2 Nos. 1200 PAX and 2 Nos. 500 PAX Vessels for Andaman & Nicobar Administration. CSL is also constructing a total of 27 small vessels for clients like Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala and Govt. of Tamil Nadu and Indian Navy.
CSL has recently won the contract for construction of 04 Mini Bulk Carriers for Utkarsh Advisory Services Private Limited, Mumbai, (part of JSW group) and 9 nos. Floating Border Outpost Vessels for the BSF from the Ministry of Home Affairs. CSL is also excelling in the ship repair front and has handled around 88 repair projects last year; major among them includes INS Vikramaditya, INS Shardul, ICGS Samar and repeat orders for refurbishment of MODUs from ONGC.
CSL has also set ambitious plans of expanding geographically and has commenced its ship repair operations at Mumbai Port Trust. With a view to establish its presence across the Indian Coast, CSL is set to commence its ship repair operations at Kolkata and Port Blair shortly. CSL has also formed a Joint Venture Company in Kolkata to cater the needs of the inland waterways vessels segment and is creating a new shipyard in Kolkata for this segment.
