DNV and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg, establishing a strategic collaboration that spans advanced shipbuilding, digitalisation, green technologies and competence development.

The agreement, which according to DNV is aimed at supporting the growth of India’s maritime and defence sectors, will see DNV provide classification and technical advice on naval, defence and specialised vessels, alongside regulatory insights on evolving maritime regulations and international naval standards.

The scope of the collaboration covers modular construction, design optimisation and the development of advanced vessels, including autonomous platforms, next-generation offshore patrol vessels and polar research vessels. DNV will also provide advisory support to help enhance GRSE’s repair and refit infrastructure to serve both domestic and international naval clients.

On the environmental side, the two organisations will collaborate on the development of electric and hybrid propulsion ferries, low-carbon naval auxiliary vessels, and pathways for alternative fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia. The agreement also includes life-cycle emissions assessments and support for compliance with India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and international environmental standards.

DNV will additionally contribute expertise in AI-enabled ship design, digital twins and cybersecurity, while joint training programmes are planned for GRSE professionals, Indian naval architects and surveyors, with a particular focus on building capacity within the Eastern Indian maritime cluster.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, DNV’s chief executive, said: “Shipbuilders are being asked to make long-term decisions against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and market unpredictability, and that uncertainty is one of the biggest concerns we hear across the industry. But this also creates opportunities for innovation and to develop new capabilities, across the whole maritime value chain. We have a relationship with Indian shipping and shipbuilding that spans more than five decades now, are very pleased to be working with a future-focused partner like GRSE as they work to develop advanced shipbuilding design, processes and systems for customers locally and abroad.”

Cmde P. R. Hari, chairman and managing director of GRSE, remarked: “This is a partnership focused on innovation, sustainability and global excellence — contributing to a stronger and more self-reliant Indian maritime and defence ecosystem.”