Four Passenger Cargo Vessels Ordered in India

KNUD E. HANSEN (KEH) and Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (India) (SEDS) have recently teamed up to deliver two new vessel designs, each with two vessels to be built, for the Andaman & Nicobar Administration of India. 

The larger of the two designs will provide a link between the Indian mainland and the Andaman & Nicobar Island Group to the east of the subcontinent with a passenger capacity of 1,200 and carrying up to 1,000t of mixed cargo. The smaller vessels will be employed in the Northern/Southern group of the Islands, or running an interisland service and is designed to carry 500 passengers and 150t of mixed cargo. Both designs will replace existing tonnage with modern vessels meeting the latest standards of comfort and safety.

The design process has been shared between the two companies, with KEH responsible for forming the initial concept for both vessels. For the smaller vessel SEDS have then taken the reins and further developed the design through the contract and basic design stages. Throughout this process KEH has been responsible for conducting design reviews and providing additional ideas and inspiration. For the larger vessel the roles are reversed for the contract design with KEH producing the design, with critical review and evaluation from SEDS. For the basic design the roles will again be reversed with SEDS taking on the primary design tasks.

The collaboration between KEH and SEDS has resulted in a unique design, capturing elements of both the local knowledge and experience of SEDS and the extensive passenger vessel design experience of KEH. All four vessels are to be built at Cochin Shipyard in India and will sail with Indian Flag.