Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited (R-Naval), formerly known as Reliance Defence & Engineering Limited and prior to that as Pipavav Shipyard Limited and Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering Company Limited is an Indian shipbuilding and heavy industry company headquartered in Mumbai. The shipyard is located in Pipavav, Gujarat, at a distance of 90 km South of Amreli, 15 km South of Rajula and 140 km South West of Bhavnagar. R-Naval is the first private sector company in India to obtain a license and contract to build warships. Pipavav is the largest shipyard in India.[1] [2] [3]
| Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited | |
| Type: | Public |
| Traded As: | |
| Location City: | Pipavav Port, Rajula, Amreli district, Gujarat |
| Location Country: | India |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Founders: | Nikhil Prataprai Gandhi Bhavesh Prataprai Gandhi |
| Key People: | Anil Ambani |
| Services: | Ships & offshore Platforms, Pressure Vessels Design, construction, repair and conversion |
| Revenue: | (2018)[4] |
| Net Income: | (2018) |
| Assets: | (2018) |
| Num Employees: | 367 (March 2018) |
| Parent: | Reliance Infrastructure |
On 26 March 2015, the Company successfully implemented debt restructuring by raising additional debt of INR 5,500 crore resulting in total debt line in excess of INR 12,000 crore (about US$2 billion).[5]
17.66 per cent of Pipavav was acquired by Reliance Infrastructure Limited on 5 March 2015 in a US$130 mln deal.[6] Subsequently, Reliance Infrastructure launched an open offer to acquire additional shares to control 25.1 per cent of the Company. The open offer has been completed and Reliance Infrastructure now holds 36.5% equity in Pipavav and Anil Ambani has been appointed as the Chairman.[7] The company was renamed to Reliance Defence and Engineering on 3 March 2016 and again renamed to Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited on 6 September 2017.[8]
Pipavav Shipyard is spread over 500acres.[9] It has access to over 720 meters of exclusive waterfront. This is the largest shipyard in India.[10]
Its dry dock is 640m length and 65m breadth, It can accommodate ships up to 400,000 tonnes DWT. Two cranes with a span of 140 meters & height of 85 meters together capable of handling up to 1200 Ton block and two Level Luffing cranes are erected to service this dry dock. To facilitate afloat fit-out and commissioning of ships, including afloat repairs, a 300–meter long quay, with the capacity for berthing on both sides, adequate draft and serviced by a Level Luffing crane. The entrance of the dry dock also has a 100-meter extension track for the Goliath cranes for unloading heavy machinery and equipment weighing up to 1200 Tons directly from ships and heavy lift barges.[11]
In June 2010, PSL was awarded a contract to build five offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Navy.[12]
In July 2015, Pipavav shipyard was chosen for a 'Make in India' naval frigate order. The order value exceeds more than USD 3 bn. This order is being termed as the private sector's biggest-ever warship-building project.[13]
On 13 February 2017, Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) has signed the Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy to maintain the vessels of its Seventh Fleet operating in the region, with the company estimating revenues of about Rs 15,000 crore ($2 billion) over next 3 –5 years. The Seventh Fleet’s area of responsibility includes the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean and at any given time there are roughly 140 ships and submarines, 5070 aircraft and approximately 20,000 sailors under its command. Currently, these vessels visit Singapore or Japan for such works.[14]
On 12 September 2011, it was announced that Pipavav Shipyard entered a joint venture with Mazagon Dock Limited to collaborately build warships and submarines using Pipavav's facilities. The deal will free up the congested order book of Mazagon shipyard and will give Pipavav a much needed boost in defence shipbuilding.[15] In February 2014, Pipavav announced a joint venture with Atlas Elektronik to build Heavy Weight Torpedoes.[16]