Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited, has successfully delivered Wilson Eco 1, India’s first green dry cargo vessel, to Norway-based Wilson Ship Management AS. The vessel is the first in a series of six 3,800 DWT ships, signaling a major breakthrough for India in the export of sustainable maritime solutions.
The formal handover took place at New Mangalore Port, with representatives from Wilson, UCSL, and the New Mangalore Port Authority in attendance. Designed by Dutch naval architecture firm Conoship International, Wilson Eco 1 is a diesel-electric cargo vessel built under a green shipping program supported by the Norwegian government.
The ship is engineered for future adaptability, with provisions for wind-foil and battery hybrid upgrades, and is intended for operations in European inland and coastal waters. Wilson Ship Management, the largest short-sea shipping operator in Europe, has also placed an additional order with UCSL for eight 6,300 DWT general cargo vessels, valued at ₹1,041 crore.
Constructed at a cost of ₹506 crore, Wilson Eco 1 integrates advanced systems from Sweden, the Netherlands, and India. The ship is classified by Bureau Veritas and sails under the Norwegian flag. This project saw the involvement of over 800 Indian workers and supported skill development programs that trained more than 100 professionals under national initiatives.
The delivery marks UCSL’s first international commercial project since its revival under Cochin Shipyard Limited in 2020. The shipyard had previously executed significant projects for the Kochi Water Metro and various fisheries development programs in India.
Established in 1972, CSL has evolved into a key player in the Indian maritime industry, specializing in the construction of complex vessels, including tankers, passenger ships, and naval vessels, as well as the repair and maintenance of ships and offshore platforms. The company is also involved in building high-end defense ships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
With a commitment to innovation and quality, CSL operates state-of-the-art facilities and has undertaken significant modernization initiatives to enhance its production capacity. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) and plays a vital role in India’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
