Summary:
By Express News ServiceKOCHI: The first of two 1,200 passenger-capacity-vessel-cum- 1,000-tonne-cargo vessel built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration was launched on Tuesday at the CSL’s Kochi yard. “The vessel is designed as a modern high-quality passenger vessel with electric propulsion for ‘all-weather’ operation from the mainland to the islands’ route,” a release said. The ship would not only enable safe and comfortable passenger movement but will also be a boost to the tourism sector, it said. CSL is also in advanced stages of completion of the two 500-passenger vessels for inter-island operations at Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first 500 passenger vessel is scheduled to undergo sea trials next month and expected to be delivered ‘ready-for-service’ for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in March..