Cochin Shipyard has laid the keel for an 85-metre battery-electric hybrid Service Operation Vessel for North Star Shipping, marking a major milestone in offshore renewable energy support. Designed with VARD Norway, the DNV-class vessel features advanced propulsion, DP2 positioning, walk-to-work systems, and facilities for 80 personnel, strengthening India–UK maritime collaboration.
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), one of India’s most respected names in shipbuilding, has added another milestone to its global portfolio with the keel laying of a cutting-edge battery-electric hybrid Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for North Star Shipping (Aberdeen) Limited, UK. The ceremony, held on November 13, 2025, in Kochi, marked a significant moment for India’s maritime manufacturing sector, especially as the world intensifies efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure and embrace cleaner offshore operations. The event brought together dignitaries, engineers, project leaders, and representatives from both CSL and North Star Shipping, symbolising not just the start of construction of a technologically advanced vessel but also the strengthening of a long-standing transnational partnership.
The keel, a foundational component in shipbuilding, was laid by Michael Reid, Head of Special Projects at North Star Shipping. Reid’s presence underlined the significance of the project for the UK-based company, which has emerged as a pioneer in offshore renewable support vessels. The ceremony was also attended by CSL’s senior leadership, including Director of Operations Dr. Harikrishnan S and Director of Technical Services Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, along with other key officials and members of the North Star site team. The gathering was both formal and celebratory, reflecting the importance of the moment for both organizations.
This 85-metre battery-electric hybrid vessel represents one of the most ambitious engineering collaborations between CSL and its international partners. Designed in collaboration with the renowned Norwegian naval design company VARD AS, the SOV is the second in a series of two vessels being built by CSL for North Star Shipping. The design, known as the VARD 4 19 SOV, incorporates a suite of advanced green technologies intended to make offshore wind operations cleaner, quieter, safer, and more efficient. For CSL, which has been actively expanding its presence in the renewable and sustainable maritime solutions segment, the project reinforces its reputation as a global shipbuilder capable of delivering high-tech, future-ready vessels.
The vessel is being constructed under the classification of DNV, the world’s leading maritime classification society, which sets some of the most stringent standards for safety, quality, and sustainability. One of its standout features is its hybrid electric propulsion system powered by lithium-ion batteries integrated with a DC-based power architecture. This energy system not only reduces fuel consumption and emissions but also enables quieter operations, an essential requirement for minimizing environmental impact in sensitive offshore wind farm zones. Its electric Azimuth propulsion units will provide superior manoeuvrability, ensuring the vessel can operate safely and steadily even in challenging sea conditions. This will be further supported by a DP2 Class Dynamic Positioning system, enabling precise station-keeping during turbine maintenance and offshore personnel transfers.
The vessel’s purpose-built design makes it a highly versatile asset for the offshore wind sector. Once commissioned, it will play a critical role in the service, maintenance, and operational support of offshore wind installations. It combines accommodation, logistics, and maintenance capabilities into a single state-of-the-art platform, offering a comprehensive solution for offshore wind farm operators. With the global offshore wind market expanding rapidly, such SOVs are becoming essential components of the ecosystem, helping reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and support round-the-clock operations in often difficult marine environments.
Among its many specialized features is the vessel’s capacity to accommodate up to 80 personnel, including technicians, engineers, specialists, and crew members. The living quarters meet stringent DNV C2-V2 Comfort Class requirements, ensuring high standards of noise control, vibration reduction, and overall onboard comfort—an extremely important factor for technicians who often spend weeks at sea. The vessel will also house dedicated facilities for wind turbine maintenance, enabling teams to perform complex tasks safely and efficiently. Its integrated warehouse and logistics centre is designed to streamline the entire supply chain cycle, from spare part storage to tool management and equipment distribution, reducing operational downtime and boosting productivity for the offshore wind sector.
A standout capability of the vessel is its advanced walk-to-work system, a modern personnel transfer solution that allows safe and reliable movement of technicians to and from offshore installations. Traditional transfer methods often depend heavily on sea conditions and can pose safety challenges, but the walk-to-work gangway system dramatically reduces such risks and enhances operational uptime. Equipped with motion-compensation technology, it stabilizes personnel movement even in rough sea states, ensuring offshore workers can move confidently and securely between the vessel and wind turbines.
The keel-laying ceremony marked more than just the start of physical construction—it also reflected the growing confidence that international renewable energy companies have in Indian shipbuilding capabilities. For CSL, which has previously delivered a wide range of complex vessels including tankers, offshore support vessels, passenger ferries, and defence platforms, this project stands as another example of its commitment to building sustainable and technologically advanced ships. Its collaboration with North Star Shipping, a company known for operating one of the most sophisticated fleets in the offshore energy sector, demonstrates a shared dedication toward innovation and excellence.
North Star Shipping has long been at the forefront of the energy transition within the maritime sector. Its investment in hybrid electric SOVs underscores its strategy to reduce carbon emissions and build a fleet capable of supporting next-generation renewable installations. As offshore wind farms increase in scale and move further from coastlines, there is a growing need for vessels that can support extended operations with minimal environmental impact. The hybrid SOVs being built by CSL fit directly into this evolving demand, offering the endurance, efficiency, and green capabilities needed for modern offshore wind farm maintenance.
For India, such projects also showcase the country’s growing position as a reliable manufacturing partner in the global maritime sector. The technological advancements incorporated into the vessel—ranging from electric propulsion to digital power systems—illustrate the country’s progression from traditional shipbuilding to engineering marine solutions that meet international sustainability standards. They also contribute to India’s strategic vision of participating more prominently in the global renewable energy supply chain.
As the world moves rapidly toward low-carbon energy systems, the offshore wind sector is expected to be a major driver of green growth. Service Operation Vessels like the one under construction at CSL represent the backbone of this transformation, providing essential support that enables wind farms to remain productive and efficient. With the keel now laid, the vessel will progress through the subsequent stages of construction, outfitting, and testing before it is delivered to North Star Shipping.
The event marks another chapter in the enduring partnership between Cochin Shipyard and North Star Shipping. Both companies have demonstrated a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and top-tier engineering excellence. As work on the vessel advances, it is poised to not only serve the growing offshore renewable sector but also to stand as a testament to the collaborative spirit and technological strength shaping the future of the maritime industry.
