Ropax vessels designed by Cochin Shipyard unveiled in Kochi

Two Ropax vessels designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) were launched at a function here on Thursday.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials of IWAI in the presence of directors and employees of CSL, a press release said here.

The two vessels, which can carry both passengers and vehicles, were the third and fourth vessels in the series of 10 vessel ordered from the IWAI, it said.

CSL said it was building eight Ropax vessels and two ro-ro vessels for the IWAI.

IWAI chose CSL for the construction of the vessels which would be operated in strategic locations in National Waterways 1 and 2.

The vessels can accommodate around 200 passengers and would have eight crews and can carry two trucks and four cars.

The ship was equipped with all life-saving equipment.

The CSL said it presently has a robust order book in shipbuilding and ship repair.

Presently, CSL is building Indias first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) for the Indian Navy which is in advanced stages of testing and commissioning.

TheCSL is also building a technology demonstration vessel for the DRDO, four PAX vessels for Andaman & Nicobar administration.

Besides, it is constructing a total of 27 small vessels for clients like IWAI, department of fisheries, governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and the Navy.

CSL is currently investing a total of Rs 2,769 crore in building a new 310-metre-long dry dock in Kochi and a ship lift-based ship repair yard at Willingdon Island, Kochi.