Kongsberg Maritime Expands in India with New Facility in Kochi

Kongsberg Maritime has inaugurated a new facility in Kochi, aimed at enhancing customer support and preparing for future assembly of its waterjet products. Situated in the Maritime Park near Cochin Shipyard’s International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF), the facility will offer specialized technical support for new builds and other projects at Cochin Shipyard, as well as general support for customers in the Kochi region.

In a press release, Kongsberg Maritime highlighted its commitment to supporting the Indian government’s 'Make in India' strategy, which aims to bolster domestic capabilities across various industries. The new facility will facilitate the assembly and overhaul of Kongsberg Maritime’s Kamewa water jets.

Norway’s Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, emphasized the significance of Kongsberg Maritime’s contributions to maritime, offshore, aerospace, and defense technologies during the opening ceremony. She noted that the company, in which the Norwegian Government holds more than a 50% share, has been a key player in strengthening Norway-India business relations, further enhanced by the newly signed EFTA-India trade and economic partnership agreement.

Annette Holte, President of Kongsberg Maritime India, expressed optimism about Kochi's future as a maritime hub, citing the region's expertise in shipbuilding and repair. Holte stated that this new facility is a strategic step towards expanding operations, including the assembly and overhaul capabilities for Kongsberg’s range of water jets.

The Kongsberg Group employs approximately 500 people in India, with 150 based in Mumbai for the Kongsberg Maritime business. India is also a crucial part of Kongsberg’s supply chain, providing major steel castings for Kamewa water jets sold globally, according to the press release.

HBL