Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 30, Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei, a Hamburg-based shipping company, has expanded its methanol-ready multipurpose newbuilding programme in India by contracting four firm units with options for two more at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The contract value is $62.4 million, with deliveries of the firm vessels scheduled between June 2028 and March 2029.

Each of the 120-meter vessels will have a cargo capacity of 7,500 tonnes, capable of carrying bulk, project, or general cargo. The ships will feature hybrid propulsion systems, container-carrying capability on deck, and the ability to transport oversized renewable energy components, including wind turbine blades.

The order strengthens the growing partnership between Carsten Rehder and GRSE. Since mid-2024, the German owner has contracted a series of similar multipurpose vessels at the Indian yard. Steel cutting for the first ships in the Coral 7500 series began earlier this year.

The expansion follows a memorandum of intent signed during the Nor-Shipping event in Oslo earlier in 2025. With this latest deal, Carsten Rehder’s orderbook at GRSE has reached at least a dozen vessels, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on methanol-ready, hybrid-powered ships to meet evolving environmental and operational standards.

The vessels are designed with flexibility in mind, serving multiple cargo types while supporting the transport of components for renewable energy projects, aligning with global efforts to decarbonize shipping and expand green logistics capabilities.

In a related development, brokers report that a UK owner has contracted up to four 12,600 dwt multipurpose vessels at Rizhao Kingda Shipbuilding in China, with deliveries planned for 2027. This demonstrates continued global demand for versatile, eco-friendly multipurpose ships across key shipbuilding hubs.

Carsten Rehder’s investment in GRSE’s Indian facilities not only expands its fleet but also leverages cost-effective shipbuilding capabilities in India, while supporting local industrial growth. The vessels will cater to both traditional cargo markets and emerging renewable energy logistics, highlighting the strategic integration of green propulsion with operational versatility.

This programme underscores Carsten Rehder’s commitment to future-proof shipping solutions, combining hybrid propulsion with multipurpose design to serve diverse cargo needs efficiently. With the firm and optional units, the company anticipates enhancing fleet resilience and operational flexibility, while contributing to low-carbon maritime transport initiatives.