Cochin Shipyard launches second double-ended Ro-Ro ferry

The Cochin Shipyard Limited today launched the second "double ended Ro-Ro ferry" at a function here.
The vessel is the second of the series of the double-ended Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry project undertaken by CSL, following the demand for a safer and reliable alternative for traditional 'Jangars' across the busy shipping channel between Fort Kochi and Vypeen.
The ship has been designed in-house at the yard here and built as per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) Classification Rules and Kerala Inland Vessel (KIV) rules applicable for inland vessels in the state and the innovative design will be first of its kind made in India, a CSL release said.

It can carry 12 cars and 4 trucks or 18 cars besides 50 passengers with an endurance of about 5 days, it said.
The vessel is equipped with azimuth propulsion systems on both ends for easy manoeuvring, allowing it to be operated without the need for turning around at the jetty during cast-off, thereby considerably reducing trip time.
The ferry can attain a speed of up to six knots and will take around three minutes to cross the 600-metre distance between the two stations.
The vessel, having an air conditioned wheel house for comfort of the operator and has a number of inbuilt safety features, was launched by K Rameetha, wife of Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard.

The vessel was lifted over by the mammoth 300-tonne Gantry crane and launched into water after the ceremonial breaking of coconut.