Kolkata/Oslo: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a premier defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence, has signed a series of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) during the Nor-Shipping 2025 event being held in Oslo, Norway, from June 2 to 6, 2025.
The agreements are part of GRSE’s long-term strategy to enhance India’s indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem and strengthen global maritime partnerships in line with national objectives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
MoI Signed for Four More 7,500 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels
On June 4, 2025, GRSE signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei GmbH & Co., Germany for the construction of four follow-on 7,500 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels. These vessels will be a continuation of the eight similar vessels currently under construction at GRSE’s Kolkata shipyard.
The upcoming vessels will be equipped with hybrid propulsion systems and will adhere to modern cyber security standards, making them efficient, secure, and environmentally sustainable. The firm contract for these four new vessels is expected to be finalized by August 31, 2025.
Venturing into Offshore Market: MoU with Aries Marine, Dubai
Expanding its scope beyond traditional shipbuilding, GRSE has entered into an MoU with Aries Marine, a reputed Dubai-based engineering and design firm specializing in offshore platforms and vessels. The collaboration is aimed at securing offshore orders for Aries-designed platforms, which will be built by GRSE in India.
This partnership is strategically aligned with GRSE’s ambition to enter the global offshore construction space and tap into a wider international market.
MoU with Global Engine Manufacturer
GRSE also signed MoUs with a global engine manufacturer on June 4, further strengthening its technological capabilities and enhancing supply chain resilience. The move reflects GRSE’s commitment to incorporating cutting-edge propulsion and marine systems in future vessel programs.
Link to Polar Research Vessel and Previous MoUs
These new partnerships build on GRSE’s earlier MoU with Kongsberg Maritime, Norway, signed in anticipation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Polar Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Strategic Outlook
The series of MoUs and MoI signed at Nor-Shipping 2025 will go a long way in enhancing GRSE’s global presence, design capabilities, and green technology adoption. These developments mark a significant milestone in GRSE’s transformation into a competitive player in global shipbuilding and offshore platform markets.
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited is a premier defence shipyard based in Kolkata, known for building advanced warships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. With over 100 vessels delivered, GRSE plays a vital role in India’s maritime defence and export capabilities.
