Yard 2117: GRSE delivers 105th ship despite COVID and Amphan

Kolkata: Defence PSU and India's premier warship builder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has delivered ICGS Kanaklata Barua, the fifth ship (Yard 2117) in the series of Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) for the Indian Coast Guard. This is the 105th vessel delivered by the Miniratna Category-1 Defence PSU shipyard. The handover was done at GRSE's Fitting Out Unit in Kolkata on Tuesday. The Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance was signed between Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE and Commanding Officer of the vessel, Comdt (JG) Subhash Kapoor, in the presence of DIG RH Nandodkar TM, SS Dogra, Director (Finance), Cmde S Nayyar, (Director Shipbuilding), Cmde PR Hari, Director (Personnel) and other Senior Officials of GRSE and Indian Coast Guard. After the protocol CMD, GRSE announced the news on twitter. "Yard 2117, Last Ship of 05 Ships under FPV project designed & built in-house by #GRSE #Delivery of the ship is a testimony to GRSE unrelenting efforts towards Aatmanirbharta initiatives of GOI in Shipbuilding," he wrote.

"Yard 2116, the Fourth Ship in the series of FPV is earmarked for export delivery to the Seychelles Coast Guard and is likely to be delivered shortly after completing the related formalities. As per the related developments as on date, GRSE will make another ship as a replacement to the one diverted to the Seychelles Coast Guard. Related formalities of signing contract with the amendments to the existing contract are underway and will be completed shortly" the shipbuilder said in a press release.

GRSE's signature FPV

The Fast Patrol Vessels which have been entirely designed by GRSE's Central Design Office. With an efficient hull form developed in-house and proved through extensive model testing, these ships are designed to achieve speeds exceeding 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1500 nautical miles. These fuel-efficient and powerful platforms are well suited for operations like patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue. They are fitted with state-of-the-art Main Engines with advanced control systems & Water jet units and an 'Integrated Bridge System' integrating all Communication and Navigation Systems. These ships are also fitted with 40/60 Gun as Main Armament and have improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. GRSE had earlier made deliveries of FPVs ICGS Priyadarshini, ICGS Annie Besant and ICGS Amrit Kaur in this series.

Commitment beats the crisis

Yard 2117 is originally built at the shipyard's Rajabagan unit. Though in order to meet its commitment to the Indian Coast Guard, GRSE had to shift the vessel's location so that final work on the ship prior to delivery including balance fitting out, the readiness of ship systems and setting to work of equipment or systems could be completed by undertaking work at the FoJ Unit in compliance with MHA and State Government Guidelines. The shipyard has also overcome the constraints posed by Super Cyclone "Amphan" for achieving this milestone.

The only shipyard in the country to have delivered 105 warships, GRSE is eminently positioned to construct large warships harnessing advanced modular shipbuilding technology at par with the best in the world. The enhanced shipbuilding capacity enables GRSE to construct 20 ships concurrently

GRSE has successfully developed an array of world-class platforms armed with high-tech infrastructure in the six decades since its inception in 1960. This includes Frigates, Missile Corvettes, Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes, Landing Ship Tank (Large), Landing Craft Utility Ships, Fleet Tanker, Survey Vessels, Fast Attack Crafts, Fast Patrol Vessels, Inshore Patrol Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessel, Hovercrafts, Fast Interceptor Boats for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard and friendly foreign nations. The only shipyard in the country to have delivered 105 warships, GRSE is eminently positioned to construct large warships harnessing advanced modular shipbuilding technology at par with the best in the world. The enhanced shipbuilding capacity enables GRSE to construct 20 ships concurrently. Apart from shipbuilding and ship repairs, GRSE has also made its mark in the engineering business, building Bailey Bridges, Deck Machinery for ships and Diesel Engines for marine applications.

Stable and firm growth

GRSE's current order book position is of over Rs 26,500 crores. In the current crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, GRSE has been at the forefront of prevention and relief activities in areas around its units in Kolkata. Three GRSE-built vessels led the Indian Navy's successful efforts at safely evacuating expatriate Indian nationals. GRSE continues to raise its bar higher in the field of maritime engineering excellence through its ship deliveries. Continuous research and innovation, lean thinking, superior product quality and a robust corporate structure powered by an outstanding human resource pool are the hallmarks of GRSE's working. With its relentless focus on its vision to be a world leader in shipbuilding, the shipbuilder has set sail towards a growth trajectory. The successful delivery of ICGS Kanaklata Barua further propels it towards that goal.