Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has received an order worth Rs 550 crore from a global logistics provider to design and build two “zero emission feeder container ships”. The order comes from Netherlands-based M/s Samskip Group, a global logistics solutions provider, for two “zero-emission feeder container ships” with an option to purchase two more, CSL said. “The project is one of the world’s first zero-emission feeder container ships powered by hydrogen fuel cells and will eventually run on green hydrogen,” CSL said in a statement.

The total project cost is around Rs 550 crore, it said. It is an ambitious project under the Norwegian Government’s green funding programme to enable emission-free transport solutions by adopting sustainable and pioneering future technologies.

CSL, which built the first-ever indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, said the proposed feeder ship could carry more than 360 high-cube containers (45 feet long).

“These vessels are designed to serve the European market, with a high demand for sustainable transport solutions. Each vessel is expected to save approximately 25,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year in zero-emission mode.

They will also operate at ports with zero emissions while calling The port uses green shore power.” The Cochin Shipyard said deliveries of the vessels would begin in mid-2025. The vessels are equipped with hydrogen fuel cells in a hybrid system with diesel generators as a backup for longer ranges, CSL said, adding that it will be provided with an onboard storage facility for hydrogen fuel and will be equipped with azimuth thrusters for propulsion and high manoeuvrability.

CSL has recently been awarded a contract to build two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) for part of a renewable offshore wind farm in Europe. It said ships also feature emissions-reducing technology from large lithium-ion and methanol-fueled generators.