Indian shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard (CSL) handed over a new ferry to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration on Saturday, March 27.
Named Sindhu, the newbuild is the first of two 500-passenger ferries ordered by the same owner along with two 1,200-passenger vessels under a contract valued at approximately INR14 billion (US$191.5 million). All four vessels were designed by Danish naval architects Knud E Hansen and India's Smart Engineering and Design Solutions to ABS and Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) standards.
Sindhu's passenger accommodations consist of deluxe, first-class, and second-class cabins and common areas with bunk beds while onboard amenities include a cafeteria, recreation rooms, a gym, and a library.
The vessel can also transport up to 150 tonnes of cargo, which will be loaded and unloaded using an onboard crane. A rooftop helicopter pad has also been fitted.
The ferry will be operated by a crew of 61 and will be capable of cruising at 16 knots.
