Press Release - Signing of Contract between Garden reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Kolkata, and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius for the Design, Construction and Delivery of an Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Mauritius Police Force

A Contract Agreement for the design, construction and supply of Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was signed in Mauritius on March 4, 2011 between M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Kolkata and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius. The signing took place during the visit of a composite 6-member delegation from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and GRSE to Mauritius.

The total contract value of the OPV is US$ 58.5 million. Of this amount, US$ 10 million will be a one time grant from the Government of India and the remainder US$ 48.5 million will be extended under a Line of Credit through the EXIM Bank of India to the Government of the Republic of Mauritius. The delivery of the OPV is expected in 42 months.

GRSE Ltd., Kolkata is among the leading shipyards in India. It builds a wide range of ships from modern warships to sophisticated commercial vessels, to small harbour craft to fast and powerful patrol vessels. It is among the few shipyards in the world with its own Engineering and Engine Manufacturing Divisions. The company, founded in 1884 has been a Public Sector undertaking of the Government of India since 1960, and built on the foundation of more than 100 years of expertise to meet the maritime needs - particularly those of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

The Agreement signed on March 4, 2011 follows the Inter-Governmental MOU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius for providing one Offshore Patrol Vessel – this Agreement was signed on July 3, 2010 during the visit to Mauritius of His Excellency Shri S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs of India.

The signing of the Contract Agreement is a significant step in furthering the comprehensive cooperation between the Government of India and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius. This also assumes significance in the context of ongoing incidents of piracy in the Indian Ocean Region. It reflects the firm commitment and continued engagement of the Government of India in consolidating and expanding bilateral ties between India and Mauritius.