Two developments from India’s shipbuilding and green vessel sector this week point to growing momentum across both the commercial and sustainable shipping segments, with a high-performance harbour tug launched in Karnataka and an innovative solar-electric roll-on/roll-off vessel programme advancing in Kerala.
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL) — a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — has successfully launched the 70-tonne Bollard Pull Tug UY 173, built for Polestar Maritime Limited. The vessel was formally launched at a ceremony attended by Anirudh Bhammar, Director of Polestar Maritime, and senior officials from both organisations, underscoring the strategic importance of the collaboration to both parties.
UY 173: High-Performance Harbour Operations Capability
The 70-tonne Bollard Pull Tug represents a significant capability addition to Polestar Maritime’s fleet. With a bollard pull of 70 tonnes, the vessel is equipped to handle demanding port escort, berthing assistance, and offshore support operations. High bollard pull tugs are increasingly in demand at India’s major ports as they accommodate larger vessel classes — Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), and Capesize bulk carriers — which require powerful tugs for safe manoeuvring in confined port waterways.
For UCSL, the launch reinforces its growing capabilities in commercial shipbuilding alongside the defence shipbuilding work of its parent, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 includes ambitious targets for domestic shipbuilding, and contracts like UY 173 are building the expertise base needed to compete for a larger share of global new-build orders. The tug is designed to meet international standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.
Navalt’s Solar Ro-Ro Vessels for Kerala SWTD
In Kerala, Kochi-based solar electric boat manufacturer Navalt is advancing the construction of two 100-tonne capacity Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels for the State Water Transport Department (SWTD). According to Navalt founder Sandith Thandasherry, the high-speed vessels are expected to be launched within six months. Each vessel will be capable of carrying either four 40-foot container trucks or up to 30 cars per trip, making them highly versatile for both commercial cargo and passenger vehicle transport on Kerala’s extensive inland waterway network.
Navalt’s solar-electric propulsion system is central to the design, aligning with India’s broader push for decarbonisation of inland water transport. The company is India’s largest solar electric boat manufacturer and has been at the forefront of applying clean energy to commercial river and coastal vessels. The SWTD order represents a significant scaling of its capabilities from smaller passenger ferries to full-sized cargo and vehicle-carrying vessels.
India’s Shipbuilding Momentum Across Segments
Together, these two projects illustrate the breadth of India’s current shipbuilding activity — from high-performance commercial harbour tugs to zero-emission inland waterway vessels. With the ONGC platform supply vessel tender attracting bids from five domestic yards and SCI ordering India’s first methanol dual-fuel vessel at Mazagon Dock, the domestic shipbuilding sector is experiencing a period of notable diversification and ambition that bodes well for India’s long-term goal of becoming a significant global shipbuilding nation.
