Udupi Cochin Shipyard Delivers Third 70-Tonne Bollard Pull Tug to Ocean Sparkle

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL) has delivered a 70-tonne bollard pull azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug to Ocean Sparkle Limited (OSL), completing the first three-vessel batch under a larger 15-tug construction programme for the Adani Group company.

The tug was handed over on September 28, 2026, 47 days after its launch, in line with the shipyard’s committed delivery schedule. The vessel is intended for harbour and port operations and will add towing capacity to Ocean Sparkle’s marine services fleet.

UCSL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

70-Tonne ASD Tug Designed by Robert Allan

The tug was designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd and measures 33 metres in length with a beam of 12.2 metres. It has been classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

The vessel is powered by two main engines rated at approximately 1,838 kW each, providing a combined installed power of about 3,676 kW. It has a rated bollard pull of 70 tonnes.

The tug has been built in accordance with the Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications (ASTDS) framework applicable to the programme.

The original specifications for the three-vessel batch included a 4.2-metre draught, 2.7-metre-diameter thrusters and 150 kW diesel generators. The equipment package also included forward and aft winches, a three-tonne deck crane and an external firefighting system with a capacity of 2,800 cubic metres per hour.

First Three-Vessel Batch Completed

The delivery completes the initial batch of three 70-tonne bollard pull tugs ordered by Ocean Sparkle from UCSL in May 2024. The contract was signed by UCSL Chief Executive Officer Harikumar A and Ocean Sparkle Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hiren Shah.

The companies had previously worked together on two 62-tonne bollard pull ASD tugs, both of which were delivered ahead of their contractual schedules and subsequently deployed at Paradip and New Mangalore ports.

UCSL launched the third 70-tonne tug on August 12, 2026. On the same day, the shipyard laid the keel for the first tug under the subsequent eight-vessel order. Steel cutting for the third tug in that follow-on batch began on August 13.

Ocean Sparkle Programme Reaches 15 Tugs

The construction programme has expanded through successive orders since the initial three-tug contract.

In December 2024, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited announced an order for eight additional 70-tonne bollard pull tugs, taking the programme to 11 vessels. The eight-vessel contract was valued at approximately ₹450 crore, with deliveries initially scheduled between December 2026 and May 2028.

A further order for four 70-tonne bollard pull ASD tugs was placed in May 2026. CSL’s stock exchange disclosure stated that the vessels would also be constructed in accordance with ASTDS requirements promulgated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The three batches together comprise the 15-tug construction programme for Ocean Sparkle.

Domestic Tug Construction

The latest delivery extends the shipbuilding relationship between UCSL and Ocean Sparkle, which began with the construction of the earlier 62-tonne tugs and continued with the larger 70-tonne series.

The successive orders form part of Ocean Sparkle’s harbour fleet expansion and renewal programme, with the vessels being constructed domestically under the applicable Indian tug design and specification framework.