German shipowner Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei has placed an order with India’s state-owned defense shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for 4+2 7,500 DWT methanol-ready multi-purpose vessels.
The two parties have signed a letter of intent for shipbuilding in June this year. The first batch of vessels is scheduled for delivery between June 2028 and March 2029, with a total value of $62.4 million. Based on this calculation, each vessel is valued at approximately $15.6 million.
This vessel measures 120 meters in length overall, 17 meters in beam, and has a maximum draft of 6.75 meters. It is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system, incorporates the latest cybersecurity standards, and features deck space capable of handling containerized cargo. Upon completion, it will be capable of transporting bulk cargo, project cargo, general cargo, and oversized renewable energy components such as wind turbine blades.
Including the latest confirmed order for 4+2 new vessels, Carsten Rehder and GRSE have secured contracts for 12+2 7,500 DWT multi-purpose vessels since mid-2024. The first batch of 8 vessels is scheduled for delivery in 2027, with the total value of the 12 confirmed orders amounting to approximately $170 million.
GRSE, a subsidiary of India’s Ministry of Defense, is renowned for constructing naval vessels and offshore engineering vessels. According to its official website, GRSE traces its origins back to 1884. It now possesses modern shipbuilding infrastructure, including VR laboratories and other shipbuilding facilities, with an annual production capacity of 20 vessels.