Indian Shipbuilding Industry : News & Updates

Report: Japan’s Mitsui OSK Poised to Order Newbuild Tankers in India

Published Sep 3, 2025, 12:58 PM
by The Maritime Executive
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MOL is reported to be in negotiations with India's Cochin Shipyard to build MR tankers.


Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, which is one of the world’s largest shipowners/operators, told the media in India that it is in discussions to begin building ships at the country’s shipyards as it looks to diversify its sources of newbuilds. The move is in keeping with the Indian government’s efforts to expand the shipbuilding industry into the international market.

According to the information supplied during a press briefing, MOL has been exploring the options for shipbuilding in Japan for the past three years, but found the yards lacked capacity. Now with government shipbuilding projects nearing completion, the government’s support, and recent partnerships such as the agreement between Cochin Shipyard and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering to share expertise, MOL is reported to be in talks with the Indian government and Cochin Shipyard.

The Indian government has detailed plans to develop three large shipbuilding clusters as it seeks to expand the industry. It has been courting major Western carriers with discussions reported for new projects with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Maersk, and CMA CGM. The container carriers have discussed repair projects as a first step toward building new ships in India.

“The plan is to start with simpler vessels, like product tankers, for example, MR tankers, and gradually move towards more complicated ships,” said Captain Anand Jayaraman, South Asia Middle East regional Executive Officer of MOL (India), reports the Indian media outlet ETInfra. The executive reportedly told the media that MOL wants to develop sources beyond China, Korea, and Japan, and within the decade hopes to be able to build Ethane carriers in India.

MOL is already the fourth-largest shipping company in India. Out of a total fleet of more than 900 ships, the company has 13 registered in India. The media quotes the captain as saying the company’s goal is to grow to become India’s second-largest shipping company. Shipbuilding is also part of a larger investment planned by MOL into India, including railways and other logistic operations.

Report: Japan’s Mitsui OSK Poised to Order Newbuild Tankers in India
 
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited launches third vessel it built for Norway-based Wilson ASA

Updated - September 07, 2025, 07:51 pm IST - MANGALURU
The Hindu Bureau

The vessel is 89.43 meters long with a breadth of 13.2 meter. It has a draft of 4.2 meter.
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The third vessel in the series of six numbers of 3800 TDW general cargo vessel was launched in Udupi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR

The Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (Udupi-CSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited, has launched the third vessel in the series of six numbers of 3800 TDW general cargo vessel that was being built for Wilson ASA, a company headquartered at Bergen in Norway.

T.K. Swaroopa, Deputy Commissioner, Udupi district, launched the vessel at a ceremony in Udupi on Saturday. The vessel was 89.43 metres long with a breadth of 13.2 metre. It has a draft of 4.2 metre.

“The vessel, designed by Conoship International, Netherlands, is constructed as environment-friendly diesel electric vessels for the transport of general cargo in the coastal waters of Europe,” a release by the Udupi-CSL said.

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T.K. Swaroopa, Deputy Commissioner, Udupi district, launched the third vessel in the series of six numbers of 3800 TDW general cargo vessels at the Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited on Saturday. | Photo Credit: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR

The first vessel of the series, Wilson Eco I, was delivered to owners on April 23, 2025, and the second vessel, Wilson Eco II, will be delivered on September 11. The first vessel of the 3800 TDW general cargo vessel series has already been pressed into service in European waters.

“Wilson ASA is the leading short sea fleet operator in Europe, and transports about 15 million tonnes dry cargo across Europe. The company operates a fleet of around 130 vessels ranging from 1500 to 8500 DWT,” the release said.

Wilson ASA has further signed a follow-on order of eight numbers of 6300 TDW dry cargo vessels with the Udupi-CSL.

Since the takeover of the yard by the Cochin Shipyard Limited, the Udupi-CSL had delivered two 62T and 70T Bollard Pull Tugs each to renowned Indian tug operators. “The Udupi-CSL has order for 12 numbers of 70T Bollard Pull Tugs, which are in various stages of construction,” the company said.

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited launches third vessel it built for Norway-based Wilson ASA
 
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Cochin Shipyard Signs MoUs with HDKorea and Government of Tamil Nadu

This partnership seeks to combine CSL’s legacy, infrastructure, and domestic expertise with HD KSOE’s advanced technology and global experience, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s shipbuilding capabilities. Under the MoU, CSL’s 310-meter new dry dock which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 17th Jan 2024 will be utilized to construct large vessels such as Suezmax tankers, container ships, and Capesize bulk carriers, with a capacity of up to six vessels annually.

To support this, a dedicated Block Fabrication Facility (BFF) is planned at Kochi in approximately 80 acres, with an annual capacity of 1,20,000 MT, involving an investment of about ₹3,700 crore. The details of the proposed facility and layout was presented at the event. This initiative is expected to generate around 2,000 direct jobs and substantial indirect employment estimated at 2 to 5 times higher in sectors such as logistics, MSMEs, supply chain, and ancillary industries.

The collaboration will also focus on joint execution of shipbuilding projects at CSL’s existing facilities during the transition phase, while simultaneously exploring opportunities in new business areas, greenfield shipyards, and skill development. By enhancing production efficiency and delivering next-generation vessels, the partnership is aligned with national initiatives like Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, reinforcing the mission to position India as a global shipbuilding hub.

Additionally, CSL signed a second MoU with Guidance, the nodal agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu, in line with the Government of India’s vision for developing shipbuilding clusters. CMD of CSL, Shri Madhu S Nair , MD & CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, and, Dr. Darez Ahamed were present for the signing. As part of its long-term growth strategy, CSL is considering a greenfield investment of about ₹15,000 crore to establish a state-of-the-art shipyard in Tamil Nadu in collaboration with a Korean partner. In its first phase, the project is projected to create nearly 10,000 jobs—comprising 4,000 direct and 6,000 indirect opportunities—and may also include a modern ship repair facility.
 
MSC and Maersk join CMA CGM in moving tonnage to India

By Sam Chambers
October 24, 2025
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The world’s three largest container lines are reflagging ships to the Indian register to take advantage of local cabotage laws and growing business around the shorelines of the world’s most populous nation.

France’s CMA CGM was the first global liner to make the move this year, registering four vessels in India following on from a visit by prime minister Narendra Modi to CMA CGM’s Marseille headquarters. CMA CGM went a step further in recent days by announcing landmark plans to build containerships on Indian soil.

Maersk has followed suit with shipping database Equasis showing the Maersk Vilnius is now Indian-flagged and local media suggesting another vessel, Maersk Vigo, is also in the process of switching registers.

Meanwhile, Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), the world’s largest container line, is being tipped to make headlines next week by revealing plans to re-flag some vessels during India Maritime Week.

Commenting on the news via LinkedIn, Dr Asha Pillai, chief strategy officer at Kochi-based port automation specialist Docker Vision, noted: “Beyond symbolism, each reflagged vessel adds to India’s national tonnage, keeps freight revenue within the country, and creates opportunities for Indian seafarers, ports, and shipmanagement firms. If this momentum continues, it could reshape India’s position in global shipping — turning policy intent into tangible tonnage growth and strategic maritime presence.”

India’s registry push comes alongside broader maritime ambitions of the Modi administration. The Maritime India Vision 2030 seeks to modernise ports, expand coastal and inland waterways, and attract investment into shipbuilding, ship repair, and maritime services.

MSC and Maersk join CMA CGM in moving tonnage to India - Splash247
 
Old and could not remember if was posted or not.

Shiplift ? No clue what that's got to do with HVAC but from my experience they're air conditioning the entire workshop by the looks of it. Most probably the workshop will be used to construct the upcoming Avinash class SSBN & the Project 77 SSNs.

Back in the day at MDL they installed air cooled chillers on the water front based on the design of some idiotic HVAC consultant to air condition the interiors of the Scorpenes under construction using flexi tubes to carry the conditioned air inside.
 
Shiplift ? No clue what that's got to do with HVAC but from my experience they're air conditioning the entire workshop by the looks of it. Most probably the workshop will be used to construct the upcoming Avinash class SSBN & the Project 77 SSNs.

Back in the day at MDL they installed air cooled chillers on the water front based on the design of some idiotic HVAC consultant to air condition the interiors of the Scorpenes under construction using flexi tubes to carry the conditioned air inside.
Afcons Infra got one project at Vish for this facility likely, 3 year long infra building work. Given the status of the actual nuke sub design activity, actual building to start in about 5 years plus or minus 1 year time imo, if after commissioning they can set up entire jigs tooling set up for the sub within 1-1.5 years.

 

An honour to take part in the Global Maritime CEO Roundtable in Mumbai last week and to meet the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi during India Maritime Week 2025.

India is a key country for MSC, with continued strong development across shipping, ports and logistics. As part of the discussions, we also confirmed our commitment to deploy 12 vessels under the Indian flag, strengthening our long-term partnership and support for India’s maritime ambitions.

Thank you to the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarbananda Sonowal and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India) for hosting this important dialogue and for the warm hospitality in Mumbai.