GRSE secures West Bengal orders for hybrid ferries and Bailey Bridges

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has received new work orders from the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (WBTDCL) to construct two hybrid diesel-electric ferries and two sets of Bailey Bridges.

The hybrid ferries will each measure 24 metres in length and 8 metres in width, with a passenger capacity of 100. Designed for sustainable inland water transportation, the vessels will utilize advanced propulsion systems consisting of batteries and diesel generators. They are expected to reach speeds of up to 9 knots in hybrid mode and 7 knots in fully electric mode, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, noise, and vibration. The vessels will be classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Additionally, the West Bengal government has ordered two sets of Standard Width Bailey Bridges of 70R Road Class. GRSE, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has a history of modular bridge construction, having supplied over 5,900 bridges to various entities including the Indian Army and the Border Roads Organisation. With these latest contracts, GRSE is currently building 13 hybrid diesel-electric ferries for the West Bengal government.