GRSE begins construction of 2 coastal research vessels for GSI with steel cutting ceremony

New Delhi/Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has commenced construction of two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) for the Geological Survey of India (GSI), marking the ceremonial start of production with a steel cutting event held in Kolkata on Saturday. The project is aimed at strengthening India’s self-reliance in specialised shipbuilding under the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

PSU Watch is now on Whatsapp Channels. Click here to join

The steel cutting ceremony, which signifies the formal beginning of ship construction, was attended by senior officials from GRSE, GSI, the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Director General of GSI, Asit Saha, attended as the chief guest.

The two CRVs will each measure 64 metres in length and 13 metres in width, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 461 tonnes. Designed for coastal and offshore scientific operations, the vessels will have an endurance of 15 days, a top speed of 10 knots and accommodation facilities for 35 personnel onboard.

According to the shipyard, the vessels will support offshore geological mapping, mineral exploration including dredging, ocean environmental monitoring and scientific research. They will feature modern laboratories for onboard sample analysis and data processing, while Dynamic Positioning-1 systems will enable station keeping in Sea State 3 conditions. Powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems, the ships are intended to operate within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone across depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 metres.

Currently, GRSE is building an Ocean Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, as well as an Acoustic Research Ship for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), which functions under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

GRSE highlighted its legacy in building survey and research platforms, noting that it delivered six survey vessels to the Indian Navy between 1981 and 1993 and handed over the marine acoustic research ship INS Sagardhwani to NPOL in 1994, which remains in service. Since 2023, the shipyard has also delivered three large survey vessels to the Indian Navy.

Speaking at the event, Asit Saha said the new coastal research vessels are nearly double the size of GSI’s existing vessels and are expected to serve the organisation over the long term. He described the start of construction as an important milestone in the partnership between GSI and GRSE.

GRSE's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) PR Hari stated that GRSE is steadily strengthening its global profile in line with the government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision. He noted that with four specialised research vessels currently under construction, GRSE is uniquely positioned as the only shipyard building technologically advanced research platforms of this type in India.

At present, GRSE is engaged in constructing 12 warships for the Indian Navy, eight advanced multi-purpose vessels for a German company, and 13 hybrid ferries for the Government of West Bengal. The shipyard is also awaiting finalisation of a contract for five next-generation corvettes for the Navy, for which it has emerged as the lowest bidder.

The launch of the CRV construction programme further reinforces GRSE’s growing portfolio in both defence and scientific maritime platforms, underlining the strategic push towards indigenous design and shipbuilding capabilities in India.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)