Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has laid the keels for two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) being built for the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
The keel-laying ceremony marks a major milestone in the construction of the specialised research vessels and further strengthens India’s focus on Atmanirbharta and the Make in India initiative in advanced shipbuilding.
Smt. Varsha Ashok Aglawe, the first woman Director General of the Geological Survey of India, was the Chief Guest at the ceremony held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Senior officials from GRSE, GSI, TNSL and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) also attended the event.
GRSE Begins Construction of Two Coastal Research Vessels
The keel is considered the backbone or spine of a vessel. It forms the central structural component to which the ship’s skeletal structure is attached and provides strength to the platform.
The keel-laying ceremony signifies the transition from the design and planning stage to the physical construction of the vessels.
The two Coastal Research Vessels are being designed as specialised platforms for:
- Offshore geological mapping
- Mineral exploration, including dredging
- Ocean environment monitoring
- Marine research
- Scientific data collection and analysis
Once commissioned, the vessels are expected to enhance India’s capabilities in exploring and studying mineral resources in offshore areas.
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Key Specifications of the Coastal Research Vessels
Each Coastal Research Vessel will have the following specifications:
- Length: 64 metres
- Width: 13 metres
- Deadweight: Approximately 461 tonnes
- Endurance: 15 days
- Top speed: 10 knots
- Personnel capacity: 35 people
- Operating area: India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- Operating depth: 5 metres to 1,000 metres
The vessels will be equipped with modern scientific laboratories for onboard data processing and sample analysis.
They will also feature Dynamic Positioning-1 (DP-1) systems, allowing them to maintain their position in sea conditions up to Sea State 3.
The ships will use diesel-electric propulsion, with diesel generators driving the vessel’s thrusters.
Vessels to Support Offshore Mineral Exploration
The primary objective of the two Coastal Research Vessels is to strengthen India’s offshore geological and marine research capabilities.
The vessels will support:
- Offshore geological mapping
- Mineral exploration, including dredging
- Ocean environment monitoring
- Marine research
- Collection and analysis of geological samples
- Scientific data processing through onboard laboratories
The vessels will operate within India’s EEZ and are expected to play an important role in expanding exploration beyond the country’s land boundaries.
GSI Says Vessels Will Strengthen Offshore Mineral Exploration
Smt. Varsha Ashok Aglawe, Director General, Geological Survey of India, said the two vessels will be valuable assets for exploring India’s mineral resources beyond its land borders.
She said the vessels, once commissioned, will play a key role in strengthening the country’s offshore mineral exploration capabilities.
According to her, the project is aligned with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat @2047 and the objective of achieving greater self-reliance in the mineral sector.
GRSE Confident of Timely Delivery
Cmde P.R. Hari (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, described the keel laying as an important milestone that marks the transformation of the vessels from design and planning into physical construction.
He highlighted the collaboration among the various stakeholders involved in the project and expressed confidence that GRSE would:
- Deliver the vessels to GSI on schedule
- Maintain high quality standards
- Meet the requirements of the specialised research platforms
GRSE Expands Specialised Vessel-Building Portfolio
The order for the Coastal Research Vessels reflects GRSE’s growing expertise in designing and building advanced specialised platforms.
GRSE is currently constructing:
- An Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- An Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), an establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The shipyard has previously delivered:
- Two series of Sandhayak-class survey vessels to the Indian Navy
- The marine acoustic research ship INS Sagardhwani to NPOL in 1994
More recently, GRSE received a Notification of Award (NOA) from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) for the construction of four Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs).
The latest project further adds to GRSE’s portfolio of specialised research, survey and support vessels for India’s scientific, maritime and defence requirements.
Why the Coastal Research Vessels Are Important
The construction of the two vessels is significant for India’s growing focus on offshore mineral exploration and marine scientific research.
Key advantages of the vessels include:
- Dedicated platforms for offshore geological surveys
- Capability to support mineral exploration and dredging
- Modern laboratories for sample analysis and data processing
- DP-1 systems for maintaining position during operations
- Diesel-electric propulsion for specialised marine operations
- Ability to operate at depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 metres
- Capability to operate within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone
The project also highlights the role of Indian shipyards in developing specialised vessels under the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, headquartered in Kolkata. The shipyard has extensive experience in designing and building warships, survey vessels, research platforms and other specialised vessels for Indian maritime and government organisations. Its expanding portfolio reflects its growing capabilities in advanced shipbuilding and supports India’s objective of strengthening domestic maritime manufacturing.
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