Cochin Shipyard Signs Master Shipyard Repair Agreement with U.S. Navy

April 9, 2024

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a state-run shipbuilding facility in Kochi, has become the third Indian shipyard to enter into a Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MRSA) with the U.S. Navy. This agreement enables CSL to repair U.S. Navy ships, following in the footsteps of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL).

Recent Context

India and the U.S. have been actively seeking to expand cooperation in ship repair and maintenance, with the aim of transforming India into a regional hub for these services. The signing of the MRSA by Cochin Shipyard Limited is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Details of the Agreement

The MRSA signed by Cochin Shipyard Limited is a non-financial agreement. This agreement will facilitate the repair of U.S. Naval vessels under the Military Sealift Command at CSL. The shipyard underwent a detailed evaluation process and capability assessment by the U.S. Navy – Military Sealift Command before being qualified to enter into the MRSA.

Benefits for India and the U.S.

The expansion of cooperation in ship maintenance and repairs is mutually beneficial for both India and the U.S. Indian shipyards gain business opportunities and expertise, while the U.S. Navy gains access to alternative options for smaller repairs of its ships without having to travel far, thereby reducing turnaround time and costs.

Previous Agreements

L&T shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai was the first Indian shipyard to sign the MRSA in July 2023. In March 2024, a U.K. naval ship arrived at Kattupalli for repairs, marking the first such engagement under the agreement.

Commitment to Advancing India as a Maintenance and Repair Hub

In a joint statement issued after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden in September 2023, both sides recommitted to advancing India’s emergence as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed U.S. Navy assets, as well as other aircraft and vessels.

U.K.’s Littoral Response Group Deployment

The U.K.’s Littoral Response Group (LRG) arrived in Chennai, as the first engagement of its deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus and RFA Lyme Bay conducted maritime exercises with the Indian Navy and will undergo essential maintenance at L&T shipyard, further demonstrating the growing cooperation in ship maintenance and repairs between India and its partners.

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