Fincantieri’s WASS Bags $235M Torpedo Order from Indian Navy
Fincantieri, via its subsidiary WASS Submarine Systems, has secured a contract from the Indian Navy to supply Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavyweight torpedoes for six Scorpène-class submarines in service with the fleet.The contract, valued at more than $235 million, is the largest ever awarded in WASS’s history and coincides with the company’s 150th anniversary. Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, with production to be carried out at WASS’s facility in Livorno, Italy’s…
Fincantieri's WASS Snags Torpedo Deal
Fincantieri’s underwater systems subsidiary WASS has secured its largest contract to date, winning an order from the Indian Navy to supply Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavyweight torpedoes for the service’s Scorpène-class submarine fleet.“This agreement represents a strategically important step for Fincantieri in India,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, noting the country’s growing role as a global naval hub and a key player in maritime security.The contract…
Acts of Bravery at Sea Honored at Annual IMO Awards Ceremony
Officer Lee Tae Young, a first mate from the Republic of Korea, has been awarded the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, in recognition of his heroic actions that saved 12 fellow crew members from the Geum Seong No. 135 when it sunk in November 2024. He was honored during a special ceremony recognizing seafarers held in London on November 24, 2025, in the margins of the IMO Assembly taking place from November 24 to December 3, 2025. IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez applauded Mr.
EUNAVFOR Atalanta Takes Control of Pirate Dhow
The Iranian-flagged dhow used as a mother ship in the piracy incident involving the Merchant Tanker Hellas Aphrodite has been captured by EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta.The dhow, abandoned by the alleged pirates on the North-Western coast of Somalia, was closely tracked and monitored by the Operation’s flagship, ESPS Victoria, and an Indian Navy warship.EUNAVFOR Atalanta has now checked the vessel, and a medical team has checked the crewmembers, who are in good condition, safe and…
Philippines, India Navies Hold First Joint Sail in South China Sea
The Philippine and Indian navies have sailed together for the first time in the South China Sea, officials said on Monday, as President Ferdinand Marcos left Manila for New Delhi for a state visit.The Philippines has conducted "maritime cooperative activities" with foreign navies since late 2023 as part of its push to counter China's expansive claims in the waterway, including joint passages with treaty ally the United States, as well as Japan, Australia, France and Canada.An Indian official said the passage was in the West Philippine Sea and part of a bilateral exercise with Manila…
Indian Register of Shipping Provides Quality Assurance During HSL Submarine Refit
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has provided Quality Assurance (QA) services during Hindustan Shipyard Limited’s (HSL) fastest-ever “normal refit” of an EKM‑class submarine, which was successfully completed on July 21, 2025. A national benchmark was set in achieving the shortest ever turnaround time and ensuring technical excellence.Under a strategic partnership formed as part of India’s push for self-reliance in national defense, IRS was appointed to oversee QA across key systems—Hull, Machinery, and Electrical—as per an approved QA plan.
Cochin Teams Up with KSOE
India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) that sets the stage for long term cooperation between the two companies. They have agreed to jointly explore newbuilding opportunities in India and abroad and to share technical expertise.KSOE oversees the operations of some of the world’s largest shipyards, including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.CSL has built a robust reputation as a key player in India’s maritime sector.
Anti-Submarine Shallow-Water Craft Delivered to the Indian Navy
The 'INS Arnala,' classed by Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), has been delivered to the Indian Navy. The vessel was delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, marking a milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defense production.‘INS Arnala’ has been designed and constructed in compliance with the Naval Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and has demonstrated the successful collaboration between Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings…
India: Battle to Put Out Container Ship Fire Ongoing as Search for Missing Crew Continues
The fire fighting operation is ongoing onboard the Singapore-registered container vessel Wan Hai 503, off the coast of India, as search and rescue operation for the four missing crew continues.A fire broke out on Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd.-managed container ship Wan Hai 503 on June 9 off India’s Kerala coast, following multiple explosions that forced several crew members to jump overboard.According to the latest update from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)…
Update on Wan Hai 503 Container Ship Fire
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been notified by the Indian authorities that 18 crew were safely transferred from lifeboats to an Indian Navy ship, which is en route to New Mangalore Port.Four crew—two from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia—remain missing. Search and rescue (SAR) operations are ongoing.Of the 18 rescued crew, five are reported to have sustained injuries. The injured crew are receiving medical treatment onboard the Indian Navy ship en route to port.As at 20:30pm on June 9…
Four Missing as Singapore Cargo Ship Catches Fire off India’s Kerala Coast
A fire onboard the Singapore-registered container ship Wan Hai 503 has erupted earlier on Monday off India’s Kerala coast, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported, injuring several crew members and leaving four unaccounted for as Indian Coast Guard and Navy launch search and rescue operations.The incident occurred on June 9, 2025 at about 12.30 hrs Singapore time, at the vessel managed by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd.There were 22 crew members onboard.
Indian Register of Shipping Lends Expertise to Stitched Ship Project
In a landmark event, a reconstructed 5th-century wooden stitched ship was launched into the waters of the Mandovi River in Goa. This endeavor, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations Pvt. Ltd., is a step in reviving India's ancient maritime traditions. Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has been instrumental in this project, ensuring that while the vessel retains its historical design, it also meets contemporary safety and design standards.
Philippines Look to Include India, South Korea in Squad Group
The Philippines and its allies are trying to expand the Squad grouping of nations to include India and South Korea to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines' Armed Forces chief General Romeo S. Brawner said on Wednesday.The Squad is an informal multilateral grouping made up of Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States, whose defence forces have conducted joint maritime activities in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea…
Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo Gets Underway
The fifth Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo, hosted by the Indonesian Navy, began on February 16.The biennial exercise will continue until February 22 in Bali, Indonesia, and will involve over 30 ships from more than 15 countries. Russia, China, India and the US are among the participating nations.The non-combatant exercise is themed “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability” and will emphasize multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response protocols. The exercises will include an officer exchange forum…
Rolls-Royce and Triveni to Work Together on Marine Gas Turbines for Indian Market
Rolls-Royce Marine North America and Triveni Engineering and Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities to collaborate on programs for 4 MW marine gas turbine generators (GTG) for customers in India. This would include several key areas, including design, development, and manufacturing of the marine GTGs and comprehensive sales and support activities. "Rolls-Royce has a proven track record of powering some of the world’s most advanced naval platforms, including the U.S. Navy's DDG-51 destroyer.
$5B India Submarine Deal Clears Hurdle
German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp and its Indian partner have cleared field trials for building six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy, according to an exchange filing, emerging as the sole contender for the $5 billion project.Their potential rival, Spanish state-held shipbuilder Navantia, which partnered with India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T), could not meet the navy's requirements in trials held in 2024 for testing key technologies, an Indian defence source said.The…
Indian Register of Shipping Strengthens Naval Sector Role
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is participating in major new construction projects for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.Recently, steel-cutting for vessels classified by the Indian Register of Shipping include the second ‘Fleet Support Ship’ at L&T Shipbuilding, the first ‘Next Generation Missile Vessel’ at Cochin Shipyard, the second ‘Next Generation Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel’ and first Coast Guard ‘Fast Patrol Vessels’ at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, and the…
Indian Ocean Becoming Power Play Hotspot
International power rivalry is playing out in the Indian Ocean region, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, adding that a strong naval presence in the key trade route was his country's biggest priority.While Singh did not name any country, analysts say that China, which commands the world's largest naval force with more than 370 ships, has been a security concern for India since ties nosedived in 2020 after 24 troops died in clashes along their Himalayan frontier.The UK and the U.S.
India inks 19.9 bln rupees deal with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
India's defence ministry said on Monday it had signed a 19.9 billion rupees ($233 million) contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders MAZG.NS for technology that allows submarines to stay underwater for longer.The ministry also signed a 8.7 billion rupees ($102 million) contract with France's Naval Group for integration of torpedoes on Indian navy submarines to increase their firepower.
Hindustan Shipyard Lays Keel for New Indian Navy’s Fleet Support Ship
The keel of the first of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS), being built at Hindustan Shipyard, was recently laid at a ceremony held at the shipyard.The HSL VC11200 project project, when delivered, will considerably enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities also marks a major milestone in the shipyard’s ability to undertake complex projects.The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is providing classification services for all five vessels. These ships are being constructed in compliance with IRS Naval Combatant Rules…
Tanker, Tugboat Crews receive 2024 IMO Bravery Award
The 2024 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea has been presented to two sets of nominees: the Captain and crew of the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, for containing a fire after the ship was struck by an uncrewed aerial device; and the Captain and crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya, for their rescue of six shipwrecked persons from four different vessels, during a hurricane.They received the medals and certificates during the annual IMO Awards Ceremony, held in London on 2 December 2024.
Kongsberg STS Transfer Tech for Indian Navy Vessels
Kongsberg Maritime signed a contract with Hindustan Shipbuilding Limited to supply its electric replenishment-at-sea equipment for its Fleet Support Ships program, a new class of five large replenishment vessels designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy.“To have secured the contract to supply our electric Replenishment-at-Sea systems to the Indian Navy’s Fleet Support Ships program is significant for Kongsberg Maritime," said Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, President, Kongsberg Maritime.
India to Build Nuclear-powered Submarines
India approved on Wednesday plans to construct two of a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, two defence officials said, in a project estimated to cost about 450 billion rupees ($5.4 billion).As India scrambles to modernise its military in the face of China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean region, it is focusing on boosting naval capabilities, and improving domestic weapons-making capacity.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet gave the go-ahead for the first two submarines of a new class of six the Indian Navy plans to make, the officials added, speaking on condition of anony