Kolkata’s GRSE Unveils Indigenous Ocean Research Vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’

On September 9, 2026, the bustling Rishi Bankim shipyard in Kolkata witnessed a modest yet meaningful ceremony as Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) slipped the side‑ways keel of its newest project – the ocean research vessel officially christened ORV Sagar Manthan.

The 89.5‑metre‑long, 18.8‑metre‑wide ship, weighing in at about 5,900 gross tonnes, is not just another steel hull. Priced at roughly ₹840 crore, it is being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and forms a key pillar of the government’s Deep Ocean Mission.

Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, offered his congratulations, noting that the vessel will “strengthen India’s scientific resolve in the Indian Ocean and beyond.” Earth Sciences secretary Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, who attended the launch, added that the ship will enable Indian researchers to conduct cutting‑edge studies wherever scientific curiosity beckons.

According to the officials, Sagar Manthan can cruise at about 14 knots on a 90 percent maximum continuous rating. Its onboard laboratories and advanced sensor suites are designed to support multidisciplinary research – from marine biology and geology to climate monitoring and underwater robotics.

What surprised many was the speed of construction. The keel was laid only five months earlier, yet the vessel was ready for launch well ahead of the schedule, a point highlighted by GRSE managing director Cmde P.R. Hari (Retd.). “It shows our shipyard’s ability to meet ambitious timelines without compromising on quality,” he said.

Looking ahead, the ship is expected to be fully operational by early 2028. Once commissioned, it will sail across the Indian Ocean, venturing into deeper waters that have remained largely uncharted by Indian scientists until now.

Industry watchers see this as a clear signal that India is serious about becoming a global hub for high‑tech shipbuilding, an ambition echoed recently by senior leaders who cited the nation’s growing expertise and export potential.