Kolkata: In yet another major milestone in its export programme, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd laid the keel for the third vessel under the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project being built for Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler and Reederei GmbH & Co. KG on Monday, February 23, 2026. The development highlights GRSE’s consistent progress in delivering international orders, aligns with the “Make in India, Make for the World” vision, and further strengthens its expanding footprint in the global commercial shipbuilding arena.
This contract—the largest MPV order in GRSE’s history—stands as a testament to the shipyard’s sustained focus on diversifying its product portfolio and strengthening its presence in the international commercial shipbuilding sector.
The ceremony was graced by M. Venkatesh Murthy, Executive Director (Commercial Shipbuilding & Supply Chain Management), GRSE, Cmde Rajat Manchanda, IN (Retd.), Executive Director (TS & YEM), GRSE, in the presence of senior officials from GRSE and representatives from the German shipping firm and DNV.
The MPV project involves the designing and building of a modern series of high-performance vessels under the CORAL 7500 DWT MPV series, being developed as a collaborative initiative between GRSE and Carsten Rehder, Germany. The initial contract for four vessels was signed on June 22, 2024, followed by subsequent agreements bringing the total order to twelve vessels. The final contracts, including ninth to twelfth Hybrid Propulsion MPVs, were signed on September 19, 2025.
Each MPV will have an overall length of 120 metres and a beam of 17 metres, with a draught of 5.85 metres. With a capacity to carry 7,500 metric tonnes of cargo, these vessels are equipped with a single, large cargo hold designed for bulk, general and project cargoes. A key feature of the design is the capability to carry containers on hatch covers and multiple large windmill blades on deck, thereby enhancing operational flexibility.
The project is being developed in close collaboration with German firms including F.H. Bertling, ForestWave Navigation/Schulte & Bruns, and Delft Shipping. Technical design expertise has been provided by SEDS, in partnership with GRSE. These ships shall be certified by DNV, the classification society.
