Kolkata, Oct 29 — Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. laid the keel of the fifth Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) being built for Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei GmbH & Co. KG.
This is among the 12 MPVs that GRSE, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, is building for the German company, in keeping with India's "Make in India, Make for the World" vision.
The laying of the keel marks steady progress in one of the shipyard's most significant export projects.
"The MPV project represents the largest commercial shipbuilding export order secured by GRSE, reflecting the shipyard’s expanding capabilities in the international commercial shipbuilding market. The project also underscores GRSE’s strategic focus on diversifying its portfolio and strengthening its presence in the global maritime sector," an official said.
The keel laying ceremony was attended by senior officials from GRSE, Carsten Rehder and DNV. The project entails the design and construction of twelve CORAL 7500 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels, developed in collaboration between GRSE and Germany’s Carsten Rehder.
The first contract, signed in June 2024, covered four vessels. The fifth vessel is the first of four MPVs being built under the second contract, signed in October 2024. A third contract, signed in September 2025, covered the four hybrid-propulsion MPVs, taking the total order of MPVs to twelve.
Each vessel will measure 120 metres in length and will be 17 metres wide. Having a deadweight of 7,500 tonnes, they will require a draught of 5.85 metres.
Designed for operational versatility, the vessels will feature a large cargo hold capable of accommodating bulk, general and project cargo. Their design will also permit the carriage of containers on hatch covers and multiple wind turbine blades on deck, providing flexibility to meet diverse cargo transportation requirements.
The MPVs are being developed in collaboration with leading German maritime companies, including F H Bertling, ForestWave Navigation/Schulte & Bruns, and Delft Shipping.
Technical design support is being provided by M/s SEDS in association with GRSE, while DNV will undertake the classification and certification of the vessels. These will not be the first ships GRSE would be exporting.
The shipyard built the first-ever Indian export warship “CGS Barracuda” for the Government of Mauritius, a Fast Patrol Vessel “SCG PS Zoroaster” for the Seychelles and an Ocean-Going Cargo and Passenger Ferry “MV Ma Lisha” for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
Over the last 66 years, GRSE has built over 800 platforms, including 118 warships for the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries. This is the highest number of warships built and delivered by any Indian shipyard to date.
From Frigates, Corvettes, Fleet Tankers, Landing Ship Tanks, Landing Craft Utility to Survey Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft, the repertoire is rich and varied.
GRSE is also a market leader in Bailey-type modular steel bridges and is now building 30 mm Naval Surface Guns.