GRSE Signs ₹1,032 Crore Contract with ONGC to Build Four Hybrid Platform Supply Vessels

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has signed a ₹1,032.07 crore contract with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) for the construction of four advanced Hybrid Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs).

The agreement, reported on October 15, 2026, marks another milestone in GRSE’s expansion into commercial shipbuilding and specialised offshore support vessels. The project will strengthen India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities while introducing advanced hybrid propulsion technologies to support offshore oil and gas operations.

The contract follows the Notification of Award (NoA) received by GRSE on July 30, 2026, and is scheduled for completion within 48 months of that date.

₹1,032 Crore Contract Strengthens Indigenous Shipbuilding

The agreement was signed by Commander Shantanu Bose (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, and Ratnesh Kumar, Executive Director (Strategy), ONGC.

Under the contract, GRSE will construct and deliver four specialised Platform Supply Vessels designed to meet ONGC’s operational requirements for offshore exploration and production activities.The contract value of ₹1,032.07 crore includes GST, as confirmed in GRSE’s July 30, 2026, stock exchange disclosure.

The project represents an important addition to GRSE’s commercial vessel portfolio, extending the shipyard’s expertise beyond naval platforms into technologically advanced offshore support ships.

Construction of these vessels will also contribute to domestic shipbuilding activity and strengthen India’s capabilities in manufacturing specialised maritime platforms.

Advanced Hybrid Platform Supply Vessels for Offshore Operations

The four vessels will be designed to support ONGC’s offshore installations by transporting essential supplies, equipment and materials required for exploration and production activities.

Each vessel will measure approximately 80 metres in length and 20 metres in width, providing substantial operational capacity for offshore logistics.

The ships will feature approximately 650 square metres of clear deck space, allowing them to accommodate equipment, supplies and cargo required by offshore platforms.

Their design will incorporate facilities for supporting extended offshore operations, with endurance provisions of approximately 45 days plus a three-day reserve.

The vessels will be constructed in accordance with the classification requirements of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

These capabilities will enable ONGC to strengthen logistical support for its offshore energy installations.

Hybrid Propulsion System with Lithium-Ion Battery Storage

A major technological feature of the new vessels will be their hybrid propulsion architecture, incorporating electrically driven azimuth thrusters and a lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

Azimuth thrusters provide propulsion and steering by directing thrust through rotating propulsion units. Their manoeuvrability makes them particularly useful for vessels operating close to offshore installations.

The hybrid configuration will integrate conventional onboard power generation with battery-based energy storage, enabling more flexible management of electrical loads.

The battery system will support peak-load management, allowing stored electrical energy to supplement onboard generation during periods of increased power demand.

It will also provide spinning reserve functionality, supporting the vessel’s electrical power requirements and improving operational flexibility.

The technology is intended to improve energy efficiency, optimise onboard power management and reduce the environmental impact of offshore operations.

Dynamic Positioning and Enhanced Operational Safety

The vessels will incorporate technology supporting dynamic positioning operations, an important requirement for ships working near offshore oil and gas platforms.

Dynamic positioning systems use propulsion units and automated controls to help maintain a vessel’s position and heading without relying exclusively on anchors.

This capability is particularly valuable when transferring cargo and supplies near offshore installations, where precise manoeuvring and station-keeping are essential.

The hybrid battery system will support dynamic positioning by helping manage changing electrical loads during operations.

Battery energy storage will also contribute to emergency-response functions, providing additional flexibility in managing critical onboard power requirements.

Together, the hybrid propulsion and positioning systems will enhance the vessels’ ability to undertake demanding offshore support assignments.

Supporting ONGC’s Offshore Oil and Gas Operations

ONGC operates an extensive network of offshore exploration and production facilities that depend on reliable maritime logistics.

Platform Supply Vessels form an essential part of offshore operations, transporting equipment, drilling-related materials, water, fuel and other supplies between shore bases and offshore installations.

These vessels also support the movement of operational materials and equipment required for maintaining offshore production infrastructure.

The addition of four modern hybrid PSVs will strengthen ONGC’s offshore support capabilities while incorporating technologies designed to improve vessel efficiency and operational reliability.

The project also demonstrates the growing participation of Indian shipbuilders in meeting the specialised requirements of the country’s offshore energy sector.

GRSE Expands Commercial and Green Shipbuilding Portfolio

GRSE has traditionally been recognised for its construction of warships and specialised naval platforms for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The Kolkata-based shipyard has progressively expanded its activities into commercial vessels, research ships, passenger ferries and specialised maritime platforms.

Its ongoing commercial shipbuilding programmes include multipurpose cargo vessels for international customers and hybrid passenger ferries for the Government of West Bengal.

GRSE has also undertaken the development of battery-supported hybrid propulsion systems for commercial maritime applications.

In September 2025, the shipyard signed a contract with Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei GmbH & Co. KG for four hybrid multipurpose vessels valued at $62.44 million.

The ONGC project further diversifies this portfolio by introducing hybrid-powered vessels specifically designed for offshore energy operations.

Such projects strengthen GRSE’s position in advanced commercial shipbuilding and support the development of environmentally efficient maritime technologies.

Strengthening India’s Maritime Manufacturing Capabilities

The contract brings together two major Indian public sector enterprises in a project that supports domestic maritime manufacturing and offshore energy infrastructure.

GRSE’s shipbuilding capabilities and ONGC’s operational experience in offshore exploration provide a foundation for developing specialised vessels suited to Indian operating conditions.

The programme will create opportunities for domestic engineering, equipment manufacturing, marine systems integration and specialised ship construction.

It also aligns with India’s broader efforts to strengthen indigenous industrial capabilities through the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

With hybrid propulsion technologies becoming increasingly important in commercial shipping, projects involving advanced battery systems and electrically driven propulsion equipment will contribute to the development of technical expertise within India’s maritime industry.

GRSE-ONGC Partnership Advances India’s Offshore Shipbuilding Sector

The ₹1,032.07 crore contract represents a significant expansion of GRSE’s commercial shipbuilding activities and strengthens ONGC’s plans to modernise its offshore logistics capabilities.

The four Hybrid Platform Supply Vessels will combine advanced propulsion systems, battery energy storage and dynamic positioning support to meet the demanding requirements of offshore energy operations.

The project also reinforces the growing capabilities of Indian shipyards to undertake sophisticated commercial vessel programmes alongside their established naval construction activities.

Through this collaboration, GRSE and ONGC are advancing indigenous maritime manufacturing, strengthening offshore energy infrastructure and supporting India’s transition towards more efficient and technologically advanced shipbuilding.

---

References

1. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited — Corporate Announcement, July 30, 2026. Notification of Award for Construction of Four Platform Supply Vessels for ONGC, valued at ₹1,032.07 crore.
   https://grse.in/corporate-announcement/
2. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited — Official Website. Company information, commercial shipbuilding programmes and press releases.
   https://grse.in/
3. Ministry of Defence, Government of India — Press Information Bureau, June 5, 2025. GRSE Signs Strategic MoI and MoUs at Nor-Shipping 2025.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2134088
4. Ministry of Defence, Government of India — Press Information Bureau, May 27, 2025. GRSE’s hybrid ferry construction programme for West Bengal.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132315

---