DNV, GRSE sign MoU to advance digital, green and specialised shipbuilding in India

DNV and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advanced shipbuilding, digitalisation, green technologies and competence development, with a focus on strengthening capabilities across India’s maritime and defence sectors.

The agreement was signed on September 2 during the SMM trade fair in Hamburg.

What does the DNV-GRSE MoU cover?

Under the agreement, DNV will provide GRSE with classification and technical advisory services for naval, defence and specialised vessels. The collaboration will also cover regulatory developments and international naval standards relevant to the design and construction of advanced vessels.

Areas identified for cooperation include modular ship construction, design optimisation and the development of autonomous platforms, next-generation offshore patrol vessels and polar research vessels.

DNV will additionally provide advisory support for improving GRSE’s repair and refit infrastructure, with the aim of supporting naval clients in India and international markets.

Focus on digital shipbuilding and cybersecurity

Digital technologies will form a key part of the partnership. DNV is expected to contribute expertise in AI-enabled ship design, digital twins and cybersecurity.

The two organisations will also conduct joint training programmes for GRSE professionals as part of the competence-development component of the MoU.

The cooperation is intended to support GRSE’s development of digitalised shipbuilding processes, green technologies and advanced design and engineering capabilities for defence and commercial vessels.

DNV said it has had a relationship with India’s shipping and shipbuilding industry spanning more than five decades, and is pleased to be working with a future-focused partner like GRSE as it develops advanced shipbuilding design, processes and systems for customers locally and abroad.

Cmde P R Hari, Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, said the partnership is focused on innovation, sustainability and global excellence, contributing to a stronger and more self-reliant Indian maritime and defence ecosystem.

GRSE expands international shipbuilding cooperation

The MoU with DNV comes as GRSE expands its capabilities and international partnerships following its recent conferment of Navratna status.

During the same SMM event, GRSE also signed a separate MoU with Damen Technical Cooperation B.V. of the Netherlands. That agreement is aimed at exploring the design and construction of advanced dredgers in India.

The DNV partnership is expected to support GRSE’s efforts to undertake more technologically sophisticated shipbuilding projects, including specialised vessels and platforms incorporating autonomous systems, digital engineering and other emerging technologies.