The first vessel in Conoship’s CIP6300 series has been launched in India. A total of 14 vessels are planned for the Wilson shipping company.
The “Wilson Energy I” was built at the Udupi Cochin Shipyard in India. For Conoship International, the launch marked a milestone: the vessel is the first newbuild in the CIP6300 series. The company had previously delivered six CIP3800-class vessels. The new-build programme, commissioned by the Norwegian coastal shipping company Wilson, comprises a total of 14 vessels.
According to Conoship, the CIP6300 is designed for maximum cargo capacity and high fuel efficiency, combined with a compact hull design. With a length of 99.99 m, the vessel is dimensioned to call at major inland waterways and regional ports. It offers a cargo hold volume of approximately 8,956 m³ for bulk cargo, general cargo and project cargo.
The hull shape is hydrodynamically optimised for low drag. According to the designers, this, in combination with a diesel-electric propulsion system, is expected to result in significantly lower fuel consumption and reduced operational emissions compared with existing vessels in this segment.
The construction of the series required close coordination between the ship designers, the shipping company and the shipyard, according to a joint statement. The tasks were clearly divided: Conoship International provided the designs for the ship’s architecture and structural engineering, with a focus on efficient series production and maximum cargo capacity. Wilson contributed the operational requirements arising from the management of one of Europe’s largest coastal vessel fleets. Udupi Cochin Shipyard, a subsidiary of the Indian shipbuilding giant Cochin Shipyard, is responsible for building the vessels, as it was for the six CIP3800 units.
Now that the hull has been launched, the outfitting phase for the “Wilson Energy I” is set to begin at the quay. This includes the interior fit-out, electrical installations and the commissioning of the main engine systems. Sea trials will follow later this year, before the vessel is due to be delivered in December. Work on the other sister vessels in the series is already underway at Udupi: both the “Wilson Energy II” and the “Wilson Energy III” have been laid down.
Technical specifications of the “Wilson Energy I”
- Ship type: Multi-purpose cargo vessel (General Cargo Vessel)
- Series: Conoship CIP6300
- Length overall: 99.99 m
- Deadweight tonnage: approx. 6,375 dwt
- Cargo hold capacity: 8,956 m³
- Hold configuration: one continuous, box-shaped hold
- Propulsion: diesel-electric
