UCSL delivers first dry cargo vessel to Norway

Mangaluru: The Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL) on Wednesday delivered the first in a series of six 3800 TDW dry cargo vessels to Wilson Ship Management AS, Norway, a short sea shipping company in Europe. The delivery ceremony was held at the New Mangalore Port.
Sushma Akkaraju, wife of AV Ramana, chairman, NMPA, christened the new vessel as Wilson Eco 1. Senior officials of Wilson Ship Management AS, Norway, including Einar Torsnes, chief financial officer, Sergey Bogdashov, new build superintendent, and the Wilson site team were present. Harikumar A, CEO of UCSL, and members of the Udupi CSL team, was present.
Wilson Eco 1 is developed under the Norwegian govt's green funding initiative for emission-free transport solutions. The project is valued at approximately Rs 506 crore. It is an eco-friendly diesel-electric vessel, designed for general cargo transport across European inland and coastal waters, and is ready for future upgrades with wind foil units and battery hybrid systems.
The construction generated direct employment for over 800 personnel and supported a broad network of MSMEs and ancillary services.
The project's milestones began with the contract effective on June 27, 2023. The steel cutting commenced on Dec 4, 2023. The keel laying began on April 27, 2024. The sea trials were completed by April 6, 2025.