Garden reach shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on February 09, 2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening India's shipbuilding capabilities through collaborative participation. The partnership aims to form a consortium for submitting bids in accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender issued by the Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI).

Strategic Partnership Details

The MoU signing ceremony took place on Monday, February 09, 2026, with key officials from both organizations participating in the formal agreement. The partnership represents a strategic move to undertake a large-scale, nationally significant shipbuilding programme.

Key Officials and Execution

The MoU was formally signed by Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE and Capt Ganti Venkateswarlu, IN (Retd.), Officiating Chairman & Managing Director, HSL. The signing ceremony was conducted in the presence of senior officials from both GRSE and HSL, emphasizing the strategic importance of this collaboration.

Programme Objectives and Impact

The partnership envisages the construction of advanced maritime platforms and is expected to contribute significantly to multiple strategic objectives:

• Enhancement of the country's maritime infrastructure
• Advancement of technological self-reliance in shipbuilding
• Strengthening long-term operational capabilities
• Reinforcement of the national vision of indigenous maritime capability

This collaboration is designed to leverage the complementary strengths of both shipyards, combining their expertise and capabilities to deliver on the requirements of the national shipbuilding programme.

GRSE's Strategic Position

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd operates as a Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence and holds the status of a Schedule 'A' Mini Ratna Category I company. The company's journey dates back to 1884, beginning as a small workshop for vessel repairs before being taken over by the Government of India in 1960.

GRSE holds several notable distinctions in India's shipbuilding sector:

• First shipyard of independent India to build a warship for Indian Navy (INS Ajay in 1961)
• Built over 800 platforms, including 115 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries
• Only Indian shipbuilder with four distinct shipyards as infrastructure advantage
• Capability to undertake concurrent construction of 28 ships

Recent Recognition and Capabilities

The company has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Defence Minister's Award 2025 for Excellence in Financial Performance and the Defence Minister's Award 2022 for designing the most silent ship for Indian Navy for ASW operation. GRSE has been recognized as the Best Performing Defence Shipyard of India for four consecutive years.

The shipyard's modern infrastructure includes state-of-the-art Next Generation VR Lab and latest software that aid in-house design capabilities, supported by a strong team of highly skilled design engineers. Beyond shipbuilding and ship repair, GRSE has diversified into engineering business with products including pre-fabricated steel bridges, deck machinery items, and marine diesel engines.

Garden reach shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) has secured a significant contract from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for the second refit of Seychelles Coast Guard Ship PS Zoroaster. The contract, valued at approximately ₹33 crore (excluding GST), was signed on February 06, 2026, demonstrating the shipyard's continued competency and adherence to project schedules.

Contract Details and Timeline

The refit contract encompasses comprehensive maintenance and upgrade work on the PS Zoroaster, with execution scheduled to begin in early March 2026. The project timeline spans three months from the contract commencement date, reflecting GRSE's efficient project management capabilities.

Strategic Partnership and Regional Security

The contract signing ceremony was conducted between Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Joint Secretary (IOR), MEA, Government of India, and Cdr Harish Kumar, IN (Retd), General Manager representing GRSE. This partnership aligns with India's Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision, strengthening collaborative efforts between India and Seychelles toward enhancing regional stability and security.

Ship's History and Previous Refits

PS Zoroaster holds special significance as it was originally built by GRSE and handed over to the Seychelles Coast Guard by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, 2021. The vessel underwent its maiden short refit at GRSE in 2024, and the current contract represents the second major maintenance cycle, demonstrating the ongoing partnership between the two nations.

GRSE's Naval Heritage and Capabilities

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited operates as a Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence's administrative control, holding Mini Ratna Category I status. The company's legacy dates back to 1884, beginning as a small workshop for River Steam Navigation Company vessel repairs before government acquisition in 1960.

Key Achievements and Infrastructure

• Built over 800 platforms, including 115 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries
• First shipyard of independent India to build a warship (INS Ajay in 1961)
• Constructed India's first export warship "CGS Barracuda" for Mauritius
• Maintains four distinct shipyards providing unique infrastructure advantages
• Capable of concurrent construction of 28 ships

Recent Recognition and Awards

GRSE has received multiple prestigious accolades, including the Defence Minister's Award 2025 for Excellence in Financial Performance and the Defence Minister's Award 2022 for designing the most silent ship for Indian Navy ASW operations. The company has been recognized as the Best Performing Defence Shipyard of India for four consecutive years, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in shipbuilding and naval engineering.