India has launched its first Ocean Research Vessel built indigenously, marking a major step in developing domestic capability for deep-ocean scientific research and marine surveys. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) launched Sagar Manthan, being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, in Kolkata on Wednesday.
The 89.50-metre vessel was launched barely five months after its keel laying, with GRSE highlighting the schedule maintained in construction. Sagar Manthan is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support deep-ocean research at depths of up to 6 km.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, was scheduled to attend the launch virtually as chief guest but could not participate. In a message, he congratulated GRSE and NCPOR and underlined the vessel’s expected role in India’s deep-ocean research after delivery.
Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, attended the launch as guest of honour at GRSE’s Rishi Bankim Shipyard. An oceanographer, he stressed the importance of ocean research to the country’s development.
The 5,900-tonne vessel has a beam of 18.80 metres and will have a maximum speed of 14 knots at 90 per cent maximum continuous rating. Its capabilities will include underway swath multibeam and geophysical seismic surveys in both coastal seas and deep waters.
Sagar Manthan will also conduct Conductivity, Temperature and Depth profiling, water sampling and biological sampling through vertical and horizontal methods using different nets. It will undertake surface and deep-sea mooring, data buoy operations, seabed sampling with corers and grabs, and rock dredging using chain bag dredges.
The vessel will further support atmospheric observations, surface meteorological and current measurements, and upper-air data collection. Scientists will be able to conduct analytical work and process data onboard, while the vessel will also provide training and education facilities for scientists and technicians.
GRSE chairman and managing director Cmde P R Hari said the shipyard is simultaneously building a Marine Acoustic Research Vessel for the Ministry of Defence and two Coastal Research Vessels. He said the projects expand GRSE’s indigenous capability from warship construction to specialised vessels.
GRSE has built survey vessels for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades, including ships delivered in the 1980s. It also built INS Sagardhwani, a Marine Acoustic Research Vessel for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, in 1994. The vessel remains in service and underwent a refit at GRSE in 2025.
Hari also said GRSE is building a new Marine Acoustic Research Vessel for NPOL, which will be named Sagar Spandan.
