Kolkata (January 11, 2025): Marking a significant milestone in GRSE’s efforts to revolutionize green maritime technology, the state’s first Green Ferry – the Next Generation Zero-Emission Electric Ferry ‘Dheu’- was officially handed over to the Transport Department, West Bengal, in the august presence of Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal at Babughat, Kolkata on 09 Jan 2025.

Earlier in the day, the ferry was flagged off by Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), CMD, GRSE from GRSE’s Main Works Unit. During the flagging-off ceremony, Cmde PR Hari, expressed his immense pride in the accomplishment and highlighted the shipyard’s ongoing strides in innovation and sustainability.

“Team GRSE is proud to have designed and built the largest and fastest fully electric ferry of our nation. I am also happy that GRSE is playing an important role in the efforts of our Nation towards achieving ‘Net-Zero’ emission through the construction of this vessel and also the other green vessel projects in hand. I am confident that ‘Dheu’ shall sail safe, smooth and easy in the blessed Hoogly river” he said in his address.

‘Dheu’ or Wave, as the Ferry has been named, is the first such vessel to be built by GRSE. It will also be the first such ferry to be operated by the Transport Department, Government of West Bengal. ‘Dheu’ will be the start of a revolution that will see the replacement of ageing diesel-engine operated ferries along the stretch of the Ganga/ Bhagirathi in West Bengal, with green vessels. Not only will these new vessels cause lower emissions, they will also reduce pollution of the river caused by the old diesel generators used to run conventional ferries.  With efforts on to develop India’s waterways as a mode of transport, both for passengers and goods under Maritime India Vision-2030, ‘Dheu’ will provide an alternative to conventional vessels that are presently in use.

‘Dheu’ is 24 meters long and powered by a 246 Kilowatt per hour (kWh) liquid-cooled Energy Storage Solution. It is ergonomically designed to carry 150 passengers in air-conditioned comfort, with no noise or engine vibrations. She has twin screw propellers that allow greater manoeuvrability and a Catamaran Aluminum hull, enabling her to achieve a top speed of 10 knots. The solar panels on her exterior augment power supply from the batteries.

The Ferry has been built by GRSE in compliance with the latest classification society rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) related to passenger safety. She has also undergone necessary harbour and afloat trials. The Government of West Bengal has also placed an order for 13 hybrid ferries from GRSE that will run both on electric and diesel propulsion.