GRSE strengthens ships export drive, lays keel for second vessel of MPV project

After achieving the goal “Make for India”, the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) embarked on a “Make for the World” vision. The warship maker laid the keel for the second vessel of the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project being executed for Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler and Reederei GmbH, official sources said on Wednesday.

This contract – the largest for MPVs in GRSE’s 141 years old history – is a testament to the shipyard’s efforts towards diversification of products and expansion to the global commercial shipbuilding market. The ceremony was graced by M Venkatesh Murthy, Chief General Manager, CSB, GRSE, Sujoy Chakravorty, Chief General Manager, Commercial, GRSE, in the presence of senior officials from GRSE and representatives from the German shipping firm & DNV.

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The project involves the design and building of a modern series of high-performance vessels under the CORAL 7500 DWT MPV series. The initial contract for four vessels was signed on 22 June, 2024, followed by subsequent agreements bringing the total order to twelve vessels. The final contracts, including ninth to twelfth Hybrid Propulsion MPVs, were signed on 19 September.

Each MPV will have an overall length of 120 metres and a beam of 17 metres, with a draught of 5.85 metres. With a capacity to carry 7,500 metric tonnes of cargo, these vessels are equipped with a single, large cargo hold designed for bulk, general and project cargoes.

An innovative feature is the capability to carry containers on hatch covers and multiple large windmill blades on deck – enhancing flexibility in cargo handling. The project is being developed in close collaboration with German firms, including F.H. Bertling, ForestWave Navigation/Schulte & Bruns, and Delft Shipping. Technical design expertise has been provided by M/s SEDS, in partnership with GRSE. These ships shall be certified by DNV, the classification society.