GRSE Launches Indigenous Research Vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’; Strengthening India’s Ocean Mission – Indian PSU

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, achieved another milestone on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, with the launch of the Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.

The launch comes barely five months after the vessel’s keel laying, highlighting GRSE’s capability to achieve key construction milestones ahead of schedule.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, was the Chief Guest at the event. Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, was the Guest of Honour at the launch ceremony held at GRSE’s Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata.

The ORV was named “Sagar Manthan” by Manju Singh, wife of Dr. Jitendra Singh, as per tradition. The vessel was launched by Kavita Ellanti, wife of Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala.

Senior officials from GRSE, the Ministry of Earth Sciences and NCPOR were also present at the event.

The construction of the ORV marks a major boost to India’s Atmanirbharta and “Make in India” initiatives, reflecting the country’s growing capabilities in shipbuilding and advanced marine engineering for ocean research and exploration.

The 89.50-metre-long and 18.80-metre-wide ORV will have a gross tonnage of 5,900 tonnes and a speed of 14 knots at 90% maximum continuous rating (MCR).

Once delivered, the ORV will be capable of conducting Underway Swath Multibeam and Geophysical Seismic surveys in coastal seas and deep waters to a maximum depth of 6 km. It will also carry out Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) profiling and water sampling operations, including biological sampling through vertical and horizontal methods using various nets.

The research vessel will undertake 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 upper-air data collection. Scientists will be able to conduct analytical work and data processing on board, while the ship will also provide training and education facilities for scientists and technicians.

GRSE has extensive expertise in the construction of survey vessels and has been building such vessels for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades. The shipyard delivered survey ships to the Navy in the 1980s. It also built and delivered the Marine Acoustic Research Vessel INS Sagardhwani to the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in 1994. The vessel remains in service and recently underwent a refit at GRSE.

GRSE has also completed the delivery of four Survey Vessels (Large) to the Navy. The last of these, Sanshodhak, was delivered on 30 March 2026. These are the largest survey vessels built in India and operated by the Navy.

The shipyard is currently building nine warships, including an advanced guided missile frigate under the Navy’s Project 17A, four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWCs) and four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels. In addition, GRSE is building 32 more platforms, including 13 ships for export.

GRSE is also in the advanced stages of concluding a contract for the construction of five Next Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy.

Apart from the ORV for NCPOR, the shipyard is also building an Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) for NPOL and two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) for the Geological Survey of India.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Earth Sciences, said that the vessel being built at GRSE represents the growing strength of India’s indigenous shipbuilding, engineering and scientific capabilities.

Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, said he was pleased to attend the launch of the GRSE-built Ocean Research Vessel for the Ministry of Earth Sciences. He said the vessel is being constructed under the Government of India’s Deep Ocean Mission and urged NCPOR and GRSE to maintain the pace of construction, assuring full support from the Ministry.

Cmde. PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, said, “I believe that GRSE epitomizes Atmanirbharta in Warship building and now, with four specialised state-of-the-art Research Vessels being built by GRSE, I would like to rephrase my statement – GRSE epitomizes Atmanirbharta in Design & Construction of Warships & Research Vessels.”