Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, has launched ‘Sagar Manthan’, an indigenous Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
The vessel was launched on September 9, 2026, at GRSE’s Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata. The launch comes barely five months after the keel laying of the vessel, highlighting GRSE’s ability to achieve major shipbuilding milestones within schedule.
The vessel is being developed as a major platform for India’s ocean research, deep-sea exploration and scientific missions, further strengthening the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
‘Sagar Manthan’ Launch Marks Major Milestone for Ocean Research
The Ocean Research Vessel has been named ‘Sagar Manthan’, reflecting its role in supporting India’s growing capabilities in ocean science and exploration.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, was designated as the Chief Guest for the launch. He could not attend the event in person and sent his message congratulating GRSE and NCPOR on the achievement.
Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, attended the event as the Guest of Honour.
As per tradition:
- Manju Singh, wife of Dr Jitendra Singh, named the vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’.
- Kavita Ellanti, wife of Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, launched the vessel.
- Senior officials from GRSE, Ministry of Earth Sciences and NCPOR attended the event.
Dr Jitendra Singh also highlighted the important role the vessel is expected to play in India’s deep ocean research after its delivery, which is scheduled for 2028.
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Key Specifications of Sagar Manthan
The Ocean Research Vessel has been designed to undertake a wide range of scientific and marine research activities in coastal waters as well as deep seas.
Key specifications include:
- Length: 89.50 metres
- Width: 18.80 metres
- Gross tonnage: 5,900 tonnes
- Maximum speed: 14 knots at 90% Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR)
- Maximum survey depth: Up to 6 km
The vessel will be equipped to conduct advanced underwater surveys and scientific observations, making it an important platform for India’s deep ocean research programmes.
Advanced Deep-Sea Survey and Research Capabilities
Once delivered, Sagar Manthan will be capable of conducting Underway Swath Multibeam and Geophysical Seismic surveys in coastal seas and deep waters.
The vessel will also undertake:
- Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) profiling
- Water sampling and biological sampling
- Surface and deep-sea mooring operations
- Data buoy operations
- Seabed sampling using corers and grabs
- Rock dredging using chain bag dredges
- Atmospheric observations while underway
- Surface meteorological measurements
- Ocean current measurements
- Upper-air data collection
These capabilities will enable scientists to conduct detailed studies of the ocean environment, seabed and marine ecosystems.
Onboard Facilities for Scientists and Technicians
The research vessel will not only support field surveys but will also provide facilities for analytical work and data processing on board.
Scientists and technicians will be able to analyse data during research missions, helping improve the efficiency of oceanographic studies.
The vessel will also serve as a platform for training and education of scientists and technical personnel, supporting the development of specialised expertise in marine and ocean research.
Sagar Manthan Strengthens India’s Atmanirbharta in Specialised Shipbuilding
The construction of the ORV represents a significant step in India’s efforts to develop indigenous capabilities in specialised shipbuilding and advanced marine engineering.
The vessel is being built in India for an Indian government scientific organisation and will support the country’s deep ocean research objectives.
The project strengthens India’s capabilities in:
- Indigenous ocean research vessel construction
- Advanced marine engineering
- Deep-sea exploration
- Oceanographic surveys
- Scientific data collection
- Specialised shipbuilding
The launch also demonstrates GRSE’s growing capability beyond conventional warship construction.
GRSE’s Four-Decade Experience in Survey Vessels
GRSE has extensive experience in designing and building survey and specialised vessels. The shipyard has been building survey vessels for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades.
GRSE delivered survey ships to the Navy during the 1980s and later built and delivered the Marine Acoustic Research Vessel INS Sagardhwani to the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in 1994.
INS Sagardhwani continues to remain in service and recently underwent a refit at GRSE, with the refurbishment completed in 2025.
GRSE has also completed the delivery of four Survey Vessels (Large) to the Indian Navy. The last vessel in the series, INS Sanshodhak, was delivered on March 30, 2026.
These four vessels are among the largest survey vessels built in India and operated by the Indian Navy.
GRSE Expands Specialised Vessel and Warship Construction
GRSE is currently undertaking multiple major shipbuilding programmes for the Indian Navy and other government organisations.
The shipyard is presently building:
- Nine warships, including an advanced guided missile frigate under Project 17A
- Four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs)
- Four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels
- An Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) for NPOL
- Two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) for the Geological Survey of India
- 32 additional 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.
The shipyard is also building a new Acoustic Research Vessel for NPOL, which will be named ‘Sagar Spandan’.
GRSE Highlights Self-Reliance in Warships and Specialised Vessels
GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde P R Hari (Retd.) highlighted the shipyard’s expanding capabilities in both warship construction and specialised vessels.
He noted that while GRSE had earlier achieved self-reliance in warship building, the development of vessels such as the Ocean Research Vessel, Acoustic Research Ship and Coastal Research Vessels demonstrates its growing Atmanirbharta in specialised shipbuilding as well.
The launch of Sagar Manthan therefore marks another important milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen indigenous capabilities in ocean research, marine engineering and specialised vessel construction.
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Based in Kolkata, GRSE is one of India’s leading shipbuilders and has built a wide range of warships, survey vessels and specialised platforms for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and other organisations. The shipyard is also expanding its presence in specialised vessel construction and exports, strengthening India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
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