In a significant milestone for Indian shipbuilding, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd signed an agreement with Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler and Reederei GmbH & Co. KG Germany on June 22, 2024. The deal entails the construction and delivery of four multi-purpose vessels, each with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 7,500, with the possibility of building an additional four ships in the future.
The vessels, which will be 120 meters long and 17 meters wide with a maximum draft of 6.75 meters, are designed to carry a diverse range of cargoes. Each ship features a single cargo hold capable of accommodating bulk, general, and project cargoes, while containers will be transported on hatch covers. A notable design element of these ships is their capacity to carry multiple large windmill blades on deck, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to cargo versatility.
The agreement was formalized in the presence of key figures from both companies. Representing GRSE were Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), and Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, while Carsten Rehder GmbH & Co. KG was represented by Managing Director Carsten Thomas Rehder. Other notable attendees included Shri RK Dash, Director (Finance), GRSE, DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd), Director (Personnel), GRSE, and Jonas Meinhardt, Managing Director of Carsten Rehder.
GRSE has a distinguished history in the export of high-quality vessels, particularly warships. The shipyard made headlines in 2014 with the export of CGS Barracuda, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, to Mauritius – marking India’s first warship export. In 2021, GRSE delivered the Fast Patrol Vessel PS Zoroaster to Seychelles, which recently returned to GRSE for a refit completed in record time. Additionally, GRSE is engaged in building six patrol boats and a TSH dredger for Bangladesh, and in 2023, it delivered MV Ma Lisha, a state-of-the-art ferry, to Guyana.
This agreement with Carsten Rehder signifies GRSE’s ongoing commitment to expanding its export portfolio and highlights its capability in constructing diverse and advanced maritime vessels. The partnership not only enhances GRSE’s global footprint but also strengthens India’s reputation in the international shipbuilding industry.