Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global maritime organisation DNV to strengthen cooperation in advanced shipbuilding, digital technologies and sustainable maritime solutions. The agreement was signed on September 2 during the SMM Hamburg Maritime Trade Fair in Germany. It brings together GRSE’s experience in warship design, shipbuilding and marine engineering with DNV’s expertise in classification, certification, technical assurance, digitalisation, sustainability and maritime advisory services.
The partnership will focus on advanced warships and specialised vessels, green shipping technologies, digital shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, skill development, training and knowledge exchange. The collaboration is expected to help GRSE strengthen its capabilities in digital shipbuilding and green technologies while adopting advanced practices across its shipbuilding operations. It will also support India’s ability to undertake technologically advanced defence and commercial shipbuilding projects.
The MoU is aimed at creating opportunities for both organisations to work together on new technologies and solutions for the maritime sector. Knowledge sharing and training will form an important part of the partnership, helping develop skills needed for the next generation of shipbuilding.
GRSE is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Its history dates back to 1884, when it began as a small workshop for repairing vessels of the River Steam Navigation Company. The Government of India took over the company in 1960. GRSE became the first shipyard of independent India to build a warship for the Indian Navy when it delivered the Seaward Defence Boat INS Ajay in 1961.
The shipyard has since built more than 800 platforms, including 118 warships for the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries. Its portfolio includes frigates, corvettes, fleet tankers, landing ships, landing craft, survey vessels, offshore patrol vessels and fast attack craft. GRSE has also expanded beyond shipbuilding and ship repair into engineering products such as prefabricated steel bridges, deck machinery, marine diesel engine assembly, testing and overhaul, and 30mm naval surface guns.
The company operates four shipyards and can undertake construction of up to 28 ships at the same time. Its in-house design capabilities are supported by skilled engineers, advanced software and a Next Generation Virtual Reality Lab. The company has received several Defence Minister’s Awards for areas including financial performance, ship design and in-house design capabilities.
GRSE, a leading defence public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Defence, has decades of experience in designing and building advanced warships for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. Headquartered in Kolkata, the shipyard has delivered a wide range of platforms including frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels and specialised naval systems. Its long-standing expertise in indigenous ship design and construction has made it a key contributor to India’s maritime security infrastructure.
