<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Udupi

Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the state-run

maritime giant Cochin Shipyard Limited, has clinched a high-value contract for

the construction of four state-of-the-art tugboats for Ocean Sparkle Limited,

an Adani Group company. This agreement, valued between ₹100 crore and ₹250

crore, marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between India's

public sector shipbuilding prowess and the private sector’s expanding port

infrastructure. The project involves the engineering and delivery of four

Azimuthing Stern Drive (ASD) tugs, each engineered with a powerful 70-tonne

bollard pull capacity, specifically designed to assist massive commercial

vessels in navigating congested port waters with precision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The

construction of these vessels will be strictly governed by the Approved

Standard Tug Design and Specifications (ASTDS) mandated by the Union Ministry

of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. By adhering to these standardized national

benchmarks, the project supports the government’s mission to modernize India's

auxiliary fleet and streamline maritime operations across the country’s

coastline. This standardization ensures that the tugs built by UCSL will

feature cutting-edge technical efficiency, enhanced safety protocols, and a

design optimized for the rigorous demands of contemporary maritime logistics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;According

to the official project roadmap, the delivery schedule is set to commence in

November 2028, with all four vessels expected to be handed over to Ocean

Sparkle by June 2029. This long-term commitment underscores the growing

capacity of the Udupi-based shipyard to handle specialized, mid-sized vessel

construction, further establishing it as a key player in the domestic

shipbuilding landscape. The deal is characterized as an arm’s-length

transaction, with Cochin Shipyard confirming that the contract was awarded

purely on a commercial basis and does not involve any related-party interests

or promoter stakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; This

latest order significantly bolsters the order book of Cochin Shipyard and

reinforces the "Make in India" initiative within the shipping sector.

As Adani Group continues to expand its footprint in port management, the

partnership with a state-owned entity like UCSL demonstrates a synergistic

approach to building a robust, self-reliant maritime infrastructure. The

successful execution of this contract is poised to set a new standard for

tugboat construction in India, combining heavy-duty power with refined

maneuverability to meet the future needs of global trade.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&nbsp;</span></p>