India’s indigenous ocean research capabilities received a major boost as Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) launched Sagar Manthan, the country’s first Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) built in India for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR),Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, on Wednesday.
GRSE launches India’s first indigenous Ocean Research Vessel
This is the first ORV of its kind to be built in India. The launch comes barely five months after the keel laying of the vessel, highlighting the shipyard’s capability to maintain schedules.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, who was supposed to attend the event as chief guest virtually, was unable to do so. He, however, sent a message congratulating both GRSE and NCPOR for the achievement.
The Minister also highlighted the important role that the ORV will play in India’s deep ocean research once it is delivered in 2028. Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, was present as the guest of honour at the event at GRSE’s Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata.
Sagar Manthan to strengthen India’s deep-sea research capabilities
In his address, the secretary, who is a renowned oceanographer, spoke on the importance of ocean research for the country’s development. “We are also building a Marine Acoustic Research Vessel (ARV) for the Ministry of Defence and two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs). Till now, we used to say that GRSE has achieved Atmanirbharta in warship building. From now onwards, we can say that GRSE has achieved Atmanirbharta, both in the field of warships and specialised vessels,” Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), chairman and managing director, GRSE, said.
The 89.50 m long, 18.80 m wide ORV will have a gross tonnage of 5,900 tonnes and its speed will be 14 knots at 90 per cent maximum continuous rating (MCR). Once delivered, the ORV will be capable of Underway Swath Multibeam as well as Geophysical Seismic surveys in coastal seas and deep waters at a maximum depth of 6 km.
Research vessel equipped for advanced ocean surveys
She will also be able to carry out Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) profiling and water sampling operations such as biological sampling using vertical and horizontal methods through various nets.
The research vessel will also effectively carry out surface and deep-sea mooring and data buoy operations, seabed sampling using corers and grabs as well as rock dredging with chain bag dredges.
The vessel will also undertake underway atmospheric observations, surface meteorological and current measurements, and collect upper air data.
Scientists will be able to carry out analytical work and data processing on board. The ship will also provide training and education to scientists and technicians. GRSE has the necessary expertise in the field of survey vessels and has been building them for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades now.
GRSE expands specialised vessel-building capabilities
The shipyard delivered survey ships to the Navy in the 80s. It also built and delivered the Marine Acoustic Research Vessel INS Sagardhwani to the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in 1994.
The ship is still in service and recently underwent a refit at GRSE. In his address, the GRSE CMD mentioned how the INS Sagardhwani was refurbished at GRSE in 2025. He also spoke about the new ARV being built for NPOL that will be named Sagar Spandan.
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