Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers launches Sagar Manthan ocean research vessel for NCPOR

The launch came barely five months after the vessel’s keel laying, highlighting the Kolkata-based defence shipbuilder’s efforts to achieve construction milestones ahead of schedule.

Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, attended the ceremony as the guest of honour and conveyed a message on behalf of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh.

The vessel was named 'Sagar Manthan' by Manju Singh, wife of Dr Jitendra Singh, and launched by Kavita Ellanti, wife of Dr Tummala, following a traditional ceremony.

Vessel to support deep-sea research

The 89.50-metre-long and 18.80-metre-wide vessel has a gross tonnage of 5,900 tonnes and a speed of 14 knots at 90 per cent maximum continuous rating.

Once delivered, it will be equipped to conduct oceanographic and geophysical surveys in coastal and deep waters, including surveys at depths of up to 6 km.

“With the state-of-the-art ocean equipment, the vessel is going to map the oceans, and it'll have capabilities to actually venture into the southern ocean operating at a very severe sea stage,” Tummala said.

He added that the vessel would significantly strengthen the capabilities of Indian scientists involved in oceanographic research and exploration.

The ORV will undertake multibeam and geophysical seismic surveys, Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) profiling, water sampling, surface and deep-sea mooring, data buoy operations, seabed sampling, rock dredging and atmospheric observations.

It will also have facilities for surface meteorological and current measurements, upper-air data collection, analytical work and data processing, besides training and education facilities for scientists and technicians.

GRSE highlights indigenous shipbuilding

GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Commodore PR Hari (Retd.) described the vessel as a major step in the company’s efforts to expand indigenous capabilities beyond warship construction.

“GRSE epitomises Atmanirbharta in the design and construction of warships and research vessels,” he said.

Hari said the company was proud to be building what he described as India’s first indigenous ocean research vessel.

GRSE has been constructing survey vessels for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades. It delivered the Marine Acoustic Research Vessel INS 'Sagardhwani' to the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory in 1994 and has since delivered four Survey Vessels (Large) to the Navy.

The last of those vessels, 'Sanshodhak', was delivered in March 2026.

More research vessels under construction

Apart from 'Sagar Manthan', GRSE is building an acoustic research ship for NPOL and two coastal research vessels for the Geological Survey of India.

The ORV is expected to be ready to sail by 2028.

The shipyard is also currently constructing nine warships, including an advanced guided missile frigate under Project 17A, four anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts and four next-generation offshore patrol vessels.

It is also building 32 other platforms, including 13 ships for export, and is in the advanced stages of concluding a contract for five Next Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy.

The project forms part of India’s efforts to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding, marine engineering and ocean research capabilities under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives.