GRSE Launches Ocean Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Another Milestone in Defence Export : GRSE Launches Ocean Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Kolkata (June 15, 2022): Mrs Joan Anita Edghill performed the rituals associated with the launch of the 70 metre long Ocean Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel “MV Ma Lisha” being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on 15 Jun 2022. Mrs Edghill appeared well at ease as she performed the traditional “breaking of coconut” on the vessel’s keel with chanting of mantras in the background.
Mrs Joan Edghill is the spouse of Hon'ble Bishop Juan Anthony Edghill, Minister of Public Works, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, who was the Chief Guest at the launch ceremony. With this launching, yet another feather was added to GRSE's cap, as it became the first shipyard in India to have designed and launched a ship for the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, a Latin American Country.
The other dignitaries present at the occasion were Cmde P R Hari IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, Mr. Charrandass Persaud, the Hon’ble High Commissioner of Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Shri R K Dash, Director (Finance), Cdr S Bose, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), Ms Rosalinda Rasul, Chairperson, Transport and Harbours Department Board of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Mr. Patrick Thompson, Chief Transport Planning Officer, Ministry of Public Works, Guyana and senior officials from Indian Armed Forces, GRSE and M/s TWL.
GRSE participated in the Ferry’s Tender Process, bagging the US$ 12.73 million contract through competitive bidding. The Government of India stepped in to fund the vessel through a grant and a line of credit to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. GRSE signed the contract on January 13, 2021 and despite challenges posed by pandemic, has succeeded in launching this ferry in less than seven months after its keel was laid.