SMEC Automation and VARD Electro India signed a strategic agreement to integrate electrical systems in ships built at Indian yards. In the first project two service operation vessels are under construction at Cochin Shipyard.
VARD is providing technical design and SeaQ technology, while SMEC handles local execution and installation.
The SOVs use hybrid diesel-battery-electric propulsion. VARD’s SeaQ package includes power management, energy storage, automation systems. The larger VARD 4 19 design links DC switchboard directly to battery storage for optimized energy distribution.
Service operation vessels for offshore wind farms account for significant demand, governments initiatives like Harit Nauka green shipping initiative, IMO decarbonization mandates are pushing electric propulsion adoption.
SMEC has been a service provider to Cochin Shipyard for 25 years. This agreement scales that relationship to electric propulsion that requires higher technical complexity than conventional systems.
VARD is part of Fincantieri Group and has delivered multiple designs to Cochin Shipyard previously.
