Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is holding discussions with global shipping lines to join hands to bid for GAIL (I) Ltd's contract for liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels.

GAIL (I) recently invited proposals for the construction and charter of LNG vessels beginning September 2017 to import the fuel. As per the conditions put forth by the company, potential bidders, who will lease out vessels to GAIL (I), will need to bid for at least one lot of three ships, of which one will be constructed at a domestic shipyard.

Currently, the Shipping Corporation of India is the only company that fulfils all requirements of the tender.

At present, CSL is holding preliminary technology talks with French engineering firm Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT). Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries are the other companies in talks with the shipyard.

Private domestic shipyards such as Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding and Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering have also evinced interest in securing the contract.