DNV is planning to collaborate with the Indian shipbuilding company GRSE. Both partners signed a memorandum of understanding at SMM 2026, which also covers “green tech“ and defence.
DNV is extending its reach into India. In future, the classification society will collaborate with the shipbuilding company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). The memorandum of understanding, signed at SMM 2026, covers areas including “advanced shipbuilding”, digitalisation, green technologies and skills development. Both partners aim to promote the growth of the Indian maritime and defence sectors.
Under the agreement, DNV will support GRSE by providing classification services and technical consultancy for naval, defence and specialised vessels. This will be complemented by information on evolving maritime regulations and international naval standards.
According to DNV, the collaboration extends to areas such as modular construction, design optimisation and the development of “state-of-the-art ship types” – including autonomous platforms, next-generation offshore patrol vessels and polar research vessels. The company is also advising the GRSE shipyard on expanding its infrastructure for repairs and refits, enabling it to serve both domestic and international naval clients.
Furthermore, both organisations are collaborating on the development of ferries with electric and hybrid propulsion, low-emission auxiliary vessels for the navy, and strategies for alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. The agreement also covers the assessment of emissions across the entire life cycle, as well as support in complying with the ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ – India’s maritime strategy for the coming decades – and international environmental standards.
“Shipbuilders are being asked to make long-term decisions against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and market unpredictability, and that uncertainty is one of the biggest concerns we hear across the industry,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV, at the signing ceremony at SMM. “But this also creates opportunities for innovation and to develop new capabilities, across the whole maritime value chain. We have a relationship with Indian shipping and shipbuilding that spans more than five decades now, are very pleased to be working with a future focussed partner like GRSE as they work to develop advanced shipbuilding design, processes and systems for customers locally and abroad.”
Commodore P. R. Hari, Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, added: “This is a partnership focused on innovation, sustainability and global excellence – contributing to a stronger and more self-reliant Indian maritime and defence ecosystem.”
DNV is also contributing its expertise in areas such as AI-assisted ship design, digital twins and cyber security. The partners will also run joint training programmes for GRSE personnel, as well as for Indian naval architects and experts, to strengthen India’s maritime supply chain and build capacity – particularly for the maritime cluster in eastern India.
