Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd achieved a major milestone on October 15, 2025, with the laying of the keel for the first vessel of its Multipurpose Vessel (MPV) project for Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler and Reederei GmbH & Co. KG. The project represents GRSE’s first significant export order for MPVs, underscoring the shipyard’s growing presence in the global commercial shipbuilding sector.
The ceremony was attended by Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN(Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, and Mr. Jonas Meinhardt, Managing Director of Carsten Rehder, along with senior officials from both organizations. Other dignitaries included Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar (Retd), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), GRSE, Shri Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance), GRSE, Mr. Fabian Greve, Commercial Director, Carsten Rehder, and Mr. Helge Voigt, CEO of Technolog.
The collaboration will deliver a modern series of high-performance MPVs under the CORAL 7500 DWT MPV series. The initial contract for four vessels was signed on June 22, 2024, and subsequent agreements have expanded the total order to twelve vessels, with the final contracts signed on September 19, 2025.
Each MPV measures 120 metres in length with a 17-metre beam and a draught of 5.85 metres. Designed to carry 7,500 metric tonnes of cargo, the vessels feature a single large cargo hold suitable for bulk, general, and project cargo. They also include innovative design elements such as container transport on hatch covers and the capacity to carry multiple large windmill blades on deck, offering enhanced flexibility in cargo handling.
The project involves close collaboration with German firms including F.H. Bertling, ForestWave Navigation/Schulte & Bruns, and Delft Shipping, with technical design support from M/s SEDS in partnership with GRSE. The vessels are set to be certified by DNV, the international classification society, ensuring adherence to global standards.
This achievement marks a significant step in GRSE’s global expansion and reflects its commitment to innovation, precision, and craftsmanship in shipbuilding.