Chowgule to build hybrid ships for AtoB@C Shipping

September 23, 2021: The shipbuilding division of Goa-based Chowgule & Company has bagged a €70 million contract to build six new electric hybrid vessels from AtoB@C Shipping AB, a part of ESL Shipping.

Greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2, per cargo unit transported by the hybrid vessels, will decrease by almost 50 percent compared to the existing ships, making the vessels the most efficient in their class, according to the release issued by AtoB@C Shipping AB.

The vessels’ battery packs, shore-side electricity solution and electric hybrid use will enable completely emission-free and noise-free port calls, the release added. The design work and model tests have been carried out with Dutch firm SMB Naval Architects.

The vessels will be built at Loutulim Shipyard in Goa, and will enter service from the third quarter of 2023, a statement from Chowgule and Company said.

"We are very pleased to be able to invest in new, energy-efficient vessels. Together with shipbuilder Chowgule, we will make shipping even more environmentally friendly,” said Mikki Koskinen, chairman of the board, AtoB@C Shipping.

Arjun Chowgule, executive director, Chowgule and Company, said these new orders will have a much higher complexity and sophistication of construction and machinery. “We were proud to represent India in this global tender against some of the most reputed shipyards. These new generation vessels are going to play a large part in the reorganisation of the global shipping fleets as we move towards achieving reductions in carbon emissions. The ships will have extensive PLC-based remote monitoring, different propulsion modes, battery packs, shore-side electricity solutions and electric hybrid applications. Port calls will have zero emissions and be noise free. This series construction will be the first of its kind in India, and our team is looking forward to the challenge of executing and delivering these vessels,” Chowgule said.

Frida Rowland, business unit director of AtoB@C Shipping, said the order will secure eco-friendly and modern capacity in the coming years. “With this order we are able to offer our customers more environmentally friendly transports and respond to the growing demand.”

The loading capacity of the new vessels is 5,350 tonnes (DWT), length 90 meters, breadth 16 meters and draft 6 meters.

The shipbuilding business is part of the family-owned Chowgule Group that was established in 1916, and has operations in mining, pelletisation, salt and education. “This will continue to build on the order book of Chowgule Shipbuilding that focuses almost primarily on clients from the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany. The shipyard is also in the process of completing an order for six ice-class cargo carriers for an European shipping company,” the statement said.