Adani Ports Gets Its First 70-Tonne Tug from UCSL's Udupi Yard

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard, has launched the first of three 70-tonne bollard pull tugs for Ocean Sparkle Ltd., part of the Adani Ports & SEZ group. The launch ceremony, held in Udupi, was officiated by MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, who commended UCSL's contribution to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The tug, designed by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd., is 33 metres long and equipped with twin 1,838 kW engines driving 2.7 m Niigata IHI azimuth thrusters. UCSL is currently building eight more tugs for Ocean Sparkle and has previously delivered multiple vessels, including two 70-tonne tugs to Polestar Maritime in 2024.

In addition to tugs, UCSL is constructing general cargo and dry cargo vessels for Norway-based Wilson ASA, with two already delivered. Another 70-tonne tug for Polestar is also under construction. These projects support the Indian government’s Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications (ASTDS) initiative, aimed at promoting indigenous shipbuilding.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.