Kolkata: Reinforcing its growing presence in the global commercial shipbuilding market, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd laid the keel of the fourth vessel under the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project for Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler and Reederei GmbH & Co. KG on Saturday, May 30, 2026. This milestone reflects steady progress in the execution of GRSE’s export orders and underscores the shipyard’s commitment to the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
This prestigious MPV project represents the largest commercial shipbuilding export order secured by GRSE and highlights the shipyard’s strategic emphasis on expanding its commercial portfolio while strengthening its position in international markets.
The ceremony was graced by M. Venkatesh Murthy, Executive Director, (Commercial Shipbuilding & Supply Chain Management), GRSE in the presence of senior officials from GRSE and representatives from the German shipping firm and DNV.
The project entails the design and construction of a series of advanced CORAL 7500 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels, being developed jointly by GRSE and Carsten Rehder, Germany. The first contract covering four vessels was signed in 2024. Subsequent agreements expanded the order book to twelve vessels. The final contracts including ninth to twelfth Hybrid Propulsion MPVs, were signed in September 2025.
Each vessel in the series will measure 120 metres in length, with a beam of 17 metres and a draught of 5.85 metres. Designed to carry up to 7,500 metric tonnes of cargo, the ships feature a large cargo hold capable of handling bulk, general and project cargo. Their versatile design also enables the carriage of containers on hatch covers and multiple wind turbine blades on deck, enhancing operational efficiency and cargo-handling flexibility.
The MPVs are being developed through close collaboration with leading German maritime firms, including F.H. Bertling, ForestWave Navigation/Schulte & Bruns, and Delft Shipping. Technical design support has been provided by SEDS in association with GRSE, while classification and certification of the vessels will be undertaken by DNV.
