The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) recently held a keel laying ceremony for the two autonomous zero emission electric vessels being built for ASKO Maritime AS of Norway.
Specifically, the ceremony took place in Kochi on 7 August 2021, while Kerala minister for Industries P Rajeeve attended the event as the chief guest and laid the keel on behalf of ASKO Maritime AS.
“This is an important project for Cochin Shipyard. Though the vessel is a small one, the impact the vessel could make in the field of autonomous and electric vessel segments is huge,” Madhu S Nair, the Chairman and Managing Director of CSL, said in the release.
CSL commenced construction of 2 Autonomous Zero Emission electric vessels for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway. Industries Minister of Kerala, @prajeevmp laid the keel for the vessels, which will run on unmanned mode in the Norwegian fjords. A moment of pride for Indian Shipbuilding. pic.twitter.com/TtsVaWYMUj
— Cochin Shipyard Limited (@cslcochin) August 7, 2021
As informed, the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels are considered to be the first of their kind in the field of merchant shipping field. In fact, both vessels will have full battery-electric propulsion and are designed for transporting trailers across Oslo Fjord between two of ASKO’s distribution centers.
The Autonomous Electrical vessel project is an ambitious project in Norway partially funded by the Norwegian Government aimed at emission-free transport of goods across the Oslo fjords.
The 67-metre-long vessels will initially be delivered as a full-electric transport ferry, powered by a 1,846-kWh capacity battery, the release said.
The vessels will be managed by Massterly, a joint venture company between Kongsberg, known for their autonomous technology and Wilhelmsen, one of the largest Maritime shipping companies.
To remind, CSL had inked contracts for the construction and supply of two autonomous electric ferries for Norways ASKO Maritime on July 15 last year.
