GRSE launches Next Generation Electric Ferry for West Bengal Govt

New Delhi: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, launched a Next Generation (NG) Electric Ferry on Thursday, January 11, 2024. The vessel was launched traditionally by Mrs Lipi Das, General Manager (Human Resources), GRSE in the presence of Cmde PR Hari IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, Shri R K Dash, Director (Finance), Cdr Shantanu Bose IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd.), Director (Personnel) and other senior officials of GRSE.

This vessel being constructed for the Government of West Bengal holds the prospect of replacing diesel-engine run ferries with Green platforms that use only battery and solar power.

The launch of the NG Electric Ferry, named ‘Dheu’ (means ‘wave’) kickstarts several opportunities in zero emission transport contributing to the growth of waterways of India in line with the Maritime India Vision-2030, which can complement road/rail-based cargo and passenger transport.

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The 24-metre-long Next Generation Electric Ferry designed by GRSE will be powered by a 246 Kilowatt per hour (kWh) liquid-cooled Energy Storage Solution. It is ergonomically designed to carry 150 passengers in air-conditioned comfort and with no noise or engine vibrations. The Ferry will have twin screw propellers for greater maneuverability and a Catamaran Aluminum hull which will allow speeds up to 10 knots. It will have solar panels to augment the power supply.

It is being built to comply with the latest classification society rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) related to passenger safety. Once launched, the vessel shall undergo harbor and afloat trials and shall thereafter be delivered to the Govt of West Bengal.   

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Cmde PR Hari IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, said that Launch of this “Green Vessel” is a major accomplishment and when delivered, “Dheu” shall be a gamechanger that shall revolutionise the Inland Waterways transportation sector”. 

“New Technology adaption with specific thrust on autonomous and Green energy platforms has been a key focus area for GRSE, and the coming months shall see the development of more such new products” Cmde Hari said.

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