Kolkata: Marking a significant milestone in Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) efforts to revolutionise green maritime technology, the state’s first Green Ferry – the Next Generation Zero-Emission Electric Ferry ‘Dheu’- was officially handed over to the Transport Department, West Bengal, in the presence of Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal at Babughat, Kolkata on January 9, 2025.
Earlier in the day, the ferry was flagged off by Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), CMD, GRSE from GRSE’s Main Works Unit. During the flagging-off ceremony, Cmde PR Hari, expressed his immense pride in the accomplishment and highlighted the shipyard’s ongoing strides in innovation and sustainability.
“Team GRSE is proud to have designed and built the largest and fastest fully electric ferry of our nation. I am also happy that GRSE is playing an important role in the efforts of our Nation towards achieving ‘Net-Zero’ emission through the construction of this vessel and also the other green vessel projects in hand. I am confident that ‘Dheu’ shall sail safe, smooth and easy in the blessed Hoogly river” he said in his address.
‘Dheu’ or Wave, as the Ferry has been named, is the first such vessel to be built by GRSE. It will also be the first such ferry to be operated by the Transport Department, Government of West Bengal. ‘Dheu’ will be the start of a revolution that will see the replacement of ageing diesel-engine operated ferries along the stretch of the Ganga/ Bhagirathi in West Bengal, with green vessels. Not only will these new vessels cause lower emissions, they will also reduce pollution of the river caused by the old diesel generators used to run conventional ferries.
With efforts on to develop India’s waterways as a mode of transport, both for passengers and goods under Maritime India Vision-2030, ‘Dheu’ will provide an alternative to conventional vessels that are presently in use.
‘Dheu’ is 24 metres long and powered by a 246 Kilowatt per hour (kWh) liquid-cooled Energy Storage Solution. It is ergonomically designed to carry 150 passengers in air-conditioned comfort, with no noise or engine vibrations. She has twin screw propellers that allow greater manoeuvrability and a Catamaran Aluminum hull, enabling her to achieve a top speed of 10 knots. The solar panels on her exterior augment power supply from the batteries.
The Ferry has been built by GRSE in compliance with the latest classification society rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) related to passenger safety. She has also undergone necessary harbour and afloat trials. The Government of West Bengal has also placed an order for 13 hybrid ferries from GRSE that will run both on electric and diesel propulsion.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., a Schedule ‘A’ Mini Ratna Category I company, has the distinction of becoming the first shipyard of independent India to build a warship for Indian Navy, the Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) INS Ajay, way back in 1961. GRSE also built the first ever Indian Export Warship “CGS Barracuda” for Govt. of Mauritius, a Fast Patrol Vessel “SCG PS Zoroaster” for Seychelles and an Ocean-Going Cargo & Passenger Ferry Vessel “MV Ma Lisha” for Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
GRSE has built over 790 platforms including 110 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries – highest warships built & delivered by any Indian shipyard till date. From Frigates, Corvettes, Fleet Tankers, Landing Ship Tank, Landing Craft Utility to Survey Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft – the repertoire is rich and varied. In addition to shipbuilding & ship repair, GRSE is also engaged in engine production and other engineering activities. The engineering division manufactures deck machinery items, pre-fabricated portable steel bridges and marine pumps.
GRSE embraced infrastructure modernisation over past decades and can undertake concurrent construction of 24 ships at a time. Team of highly skilled design engineers and state of art VR Lab and latest software aid in the in-house design capabilities. With proven credentials, the shipyard is on a growth path, reaffirming its motto “In Pursuit of Excellence and Quality in Shipbuilding”.
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