Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), a Navratna defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netherlands-based Damen Technical Cooperation B.V. to explore the design and construction of advanced dredgers in India.
The MoU was inked on 02nd September 2026 at the SMM Hamburg Maritime Trade Fair in Germany, marking a key step in GRSE’s push to expand its technological capabilities and strengthen India’s domestic dredger-building ecosystem.
Under the MoU, GRSE and Damen will establish a technical and business collaboration framework to jointly explore opportunities in the design and construction of advanced dredgers in India. The partnership aims to leverage Damen’s global expertise in dredger technology and GRSE’s shipbuilding infrastructure to support India’s growing demand for modern dredging vessels and related maritime projects.
The MoU combines GRSE’s shipbuilding capabilities with Damen’s globally proven expertise in Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD) and Water Injection Dredgers (WID).
The Key areas of co-operation include:
- Advanced dredger design and technology
- Technical know-how Transfer
- Joint design and construction proposals
- Development of indigenous dredger-building capabilities
- Long-term co-operation for future dredging requirements
The partnership builds on the existing collaboration with GRSE and Damen, including the 1000 cubic meter dredger currently under construction for the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The MoU will further strengthen GRSE’s position in the specialized dredger segment and support India’s growing requirements for modern dredging capabilities.
Combining global design expertise with Indian shipbuilding strength to build the next generation of dredgers for India and beyond.”
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The journey of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking, under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence, dates back to 1884 when it started its journey as a small workshop to repair vessels of River Steam Navigation Company. The Company was taken over by the Government of India in 1960. GRSE has the distinction of becoming the first shipyard of independent India to build a warship for Indian Navy, the Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) INS Ajay.
GRSE has the distinction of being a leading shipbuilder with four distinct shipyards as a unique infrastructure advantage. GRSE has built over 800 platforms, including 118 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries, the highest number of warships built & delivered by any Indian shipyard till date. From Frigates, Corvettes, Fleet Tankers, Landing Ship Tank, Landing Craft Utility to Survey Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft, the repertoire is rich and varied.
In addition to shipbuilding & ship repair, GRSE has also diversified into engineering business with a product profile of pre-fabricated steel bridges, various deck machinery items and assembly, testing & overhauling of marine diesel engines.
GRSE has also received the Best Performing Defence Shipyard of India award for four years in a row. GRSE embraced infrastructure modernization over past decades and can undertake concurrent construction of 28 ships at a time. A strong team of highly skilled design engineers and state-of-the-art Next Generation VR Lab & latest software aid in the in-house design capabilities. With proven credentials, the shipyard is on a growth trajectory.
