Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has delivered MS Heinz, the first vessel in the HS EcoFreighter series of multi-purpose vessels, to HS Schiffahrts UG & Co, Germany. The Delivery and Acceptance Protocol was signed through a virtual ceremony by CSL Director (Operations) S Harikrishnan and HS Schiffahrts Director Heinz Josef Schepers, in the presence of senior officials.

Designed by Groot Ship Design, the 7,000 DWT vessel has been constructed at CSL in compliance with the classification rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The ice-class vessel is capable of carrying a wide range of cargoes, including project and heavy cargo, steel coils, containers, timber, paper, dry bulk and dangerous goods, enabling worldwide operations.

The HS EcoFreighter features a raked stem with the ‘Groot Cross-Bow’ design for improved speed and fuel efficiency, along with a transom stern. It is equipped with a single large cargo hold with six movable panels, offering flexible cargo configurations such as grain bulkheads and a tween deck arrangement.

Propulsion is provided by a medium-speed four-stroke diesel engine driving a controllable pitch propeller through a reduction gearbox. Commenting on the delivery, CSL Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair said the handover marks a significant milestone in the company’s expanding footprint in the global commercial shipbuilding market.