GRSE expands into commercial energy sector with INR 10.32 billion ONGC vessel contract

State-owned shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers has secured an INR 10.32 billion contract from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to construct four hybrid-powered platform supply vessels, marking a significant strategic diversification from naval defense into commercial offshore energy infrastructure.

Indian state-owned defense enterprise Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) received a Notification of Award on July 30, 2026, for a contract valued at INR 10.32 billion from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). Under the agreement, the Kolkata-based shipyard will handle the design, construction, and delivery of four advanced Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) tailored for offshore energy logistics operations.

Built under the regulatory framework of the Indian Register of Shipping, each vessel will feature an overall length of 80 meters, a beam of 20 meters, a clear deck area of 650 square meters, and a deadweight capacity of 3,000 tonnes. The operational endurance is rated at 45 plus 3 days. A primary feature of these supply craft is an advanced hybrid propulsion system incorporating electrically driven azimuth thrusters and a Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System, engineered to support peak load management, dynamic positioning, and emergency response while minimizing fuel consumption and emissions.

This contract represents a pivotal expansion for GRSE, a prime naval defense contractor that has historically delivered over 800 platforms, including 118 warships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard alongside international export orders. Securing this commercial mandate diversifies the shipbuilder's revenue streams beyond defense procurement into civilian offshore maritime support. For ONGC, India's flagship exploration and production enterprise, the procurement reinforces operational supply chains for its offshore assets using environmentally compliant, high-efficiency logistics assets.

The deployment of hybrid technology in domestic offshore vessels aligns with broader energy transition mandates across marine transportation and offshore exploration. Furthermore, the initiative strengthens domestic shipbuilding ecosystem capabilities under national industrial self-reliance programs. Increased domestic reliance for specialized offshore logistics assets reduces dependency on foreign charters, positioning Indian shipyards to capture a growing share of the regional commercial maritime and energy support services market.