PRESS RELEASE
M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, India held the ceremony of laying the keel of the ‘Ocean-Going Passenger cum Cargo Vessel’ being built for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on 20th November 2021. The Vessel costing US$ 12.73 million is being constructed under Grant and Line of Credit assistance from the Government of India. Government of India offered in June 2016 a grant of US $ 8 million and LoC of US$ 10 million for procuring an ocean-going Ferry from India. The ferry is to be used in the North Western region as well as South Western region of Guyana up to the interior town called Kwakwani, Berbice river. It will be used as coastal as well as river service vessel. The agreement for supplying the Ocean-Going Passenger and Cargo ferry vessel from India to Guyana in 18 months at a total cost of US$ 12,733,403 has been signed on 13th January 2021 between Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) of India and the Ministry of Public Works of Guyana (Transport and Harbours Department of Guyana). H.E. Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India and team facilitated signing of the Agreement expeditiously as it was long pending since 2016.
A delegation from Ministry of Public Works/Transport and Harbours Department of Guyana visited GRSE in Kolkata from 19-21 November 2021. The Keel laying ceremony of the ocean-going vessel was conducted in the presence of Captain Stephen Thomas, Director General, Maritime Administration Department of Guyana, Ms. Ronalda Edwards-Horatio, Charge d’affaires, a.i., High Commission of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in India, Rear Admiral VK Saxena (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director of GRSE, Directors of GRSE and other senior officials of GRSE and TransDear Esteemed Media,
Please see press release issued by High Commission of India, Georgetown. Kindly arrange for wide media coverage through your newspaper/channel/publiction.port & Harbours Department, Guyana.
The 70 m long vessel with a displacement of 1700 Tonnes is propelled by two diesel engines and twin disc gearboxes to achieve a maximum speed of 15 Knots. The ship has been fully designed by the GRSE design teams and can accommodate 294 passengers (including 14 crew members) along with 14 cars, 02 trucks, and 14 containers & cargo. The design has been accomplished by the in-house design team of GRSE and incorporates enhanced safety and operational features.
Captain Stephen Thomas, Chief Guest at the event expressed satisfaction over the progress of the project and said that this project is a distinct enterprise for the Government of Guyana designed to provide smart transportation of passengers and cargo. He added that catering to the needs of Guyanese people, the vessel will prove to be an efficient mode of transport for the passengers and cargo movement in Guyana. This cooperation with India’s leading shipbuilder GRSE, highlights stable and long-term relationship between India and Guyana. Highlighting the importance of achieving this major ‘Keel laying’ milestone amidst these challenging times, Rear Admiral VK Saxena, MD, GRSE said that the ocean-going passenger cum Cargo Ferry Vessel project provided GRSE with an opportunity to leverage its expertise in design and ship construction and showcase its shipbuilding prowess in the global arena. This vessel aims to create a new benchmark in the field of passenger and cargo movement in Guyana. This project is a harbinger for more cooperation between the friendly nations of India and Guyana in the maritime domain in near future.
With its emphasis on export and realigning marketing strategies to match the dynamic global environment, the GRSE is building six patrol crafts for Bangladesh apart from this ship for the Republic of Guyana. In pursuit of indigenization and Self-reliance in Shipbuilding, GRSE is currently executing six shipbuilding projects including three Advanced Frigates, four Survey Vessels (Large) & eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts for the Indian Navy and one Fast Patrol Vessel for the Indian Coast Guard.
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23rd November 2021
