The Notification of Award (NOA) was received by GRSE on 30 July 2026 for the design, construction and delivery of the vessels.

The order marks a significant diversification of GRSE’s shipbuilding portfolio and reinforces the shipyard’s growing presence in the commercial and offshore vessel segment. The project is expected to contribute substantially to India’s offshore energy infrastructure while further strengthening the nation’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

The vessels will be designed and built-in accordance with the Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and will incorporate advanced technologies to support offshore exploration and production activities. With an overall length of approximately 80 metres, beam of 20 metres, deadweight capacity of 3,000 tonnes, endurance of 45+3 days and a clear deck area of about 650 square metres, the vessels will be capable of undertaking a wide range of offshore logistics and support missions.

A key highlight of the vessels is the incorporation of an advanced hybrid propulsion architecture, featuring electrically driven azimuth thrusters and a Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System. The battery system will support peak load management, spinning reserve, dynamic positioning operations and emergency response functions, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

With over six decades of shipbuilding excellence, GRSE has built and delivered more than 800 platforms, including 118 warships, to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries. The latest order further expands GRSE’s footprint in the commercial and offshore vessel market and underscores its capability to deliver technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable maritime solutions.

In a significant departure from conventional public sector enterprise (PSE) guidelines, the govt  has implemented three critical structural shifts:

Age Limit Extension: The maximum age limit for external applicants has been raised to 59 years at the time of application, widening the talent pool to include highly experienced industry veterans.

Abolition of Superannuation Cap: The strict retirement age of 60 for the position has been relaxed. The selected candidate will no longer be forced to step down automatically upon turning 60 during their term.

Fixed Tenure Structure: To guarantee management continuity, the government is introducing a fixed three-year tenure. This term is extendable by an additional two years subject to a performance review, potentially allowing a five-year leadership run regardless of the candidate’s age.

Knowledgeable source said  , top PSE posts often saw short leadership stints because executives were appointed close to their retirement age of 60. By guaranteeing a three-to-five-year window and pushing the age ceiling to 59, the government aims to give the next ONGC chief enough runway to execute long-term exploration and production strategies.

The search comes at a crucial time as ONGC looks to reverse aging production fields and accelerate its deepwater exploration initiatives. The Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) is expected to consider both internal public sector candidates and high-ranking private sector executives.

An electrical engineering graduate with decades of profound experience across various engineering and business development domains within ONGC, Shri Joshi brings a wealth of project management expertise to this role. As Chief Operating Officer, he will be instrumental in driving ONGC Green’s ambitious goal of scaling up renewable energy capacities, managing strategic joint ventures, and exploring high-growth clean tech frontiers like solar, wind, biofuels, and green hydrogen to ensure a sustainable future for the energy giant.

To hear insights regarding India’s evolving green sector from the leader himself, watch the Global Clean Energy Summit Address, which features his perspective on the ongoing clean energy revolution.