GRSE launches ₹840 crore ‘Sagar Manthan’ ocean research vessel from Kolkata
Kolkata has added another major milestone to India’s growing deep-sea research capabilities with the launch of ‘Sagar Manthan’, an indigenous Ocean Research Vessel built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The ₹840-crore vessel was launched on September 9 and is expected to be ready for operational use by early 2028.
Built in Kolkata, the 89.5-metre vessel has a gross tonnage of around 5,900 tonnes and has been designed to support advanced oceanographic and deep-sea research missions. The launch comes just five months after the vessel’s keel was laid, highlighting GRSE’s expanding capabilities in specialised shipbuilding.
‘Sagar Manthan’ built for India’s Deep Ocean Mission
The Ocean Research Vessel has been built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) as part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission. It is designed to support scientific research in some of the most challenging and unexplored marine environments.
The vessel will be capable of conducting multibeam and seismic surveys at depths of up to 6 km. It will also support the launch and recovery of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), enabling researchers to explore deep underwater environments.
‘Sagar Manthan’ will further facilitate the collection of seabed and biological samples, along with atmospheric and oceanographic observations.
Kolkata-built vessel designed for extreme conditions
The vessel has been designed to operate in severe sea states, allowing it to undertake research missions across a wide geographical area.
Its operational range will include the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. The vessel is also expected to support research activities in waters surrounding Antarctica, strengthening India’s capabilities for polar and oceanographic research.
With its combination of deep-sea survey systems, underwater vehicle operations and scientific research capabilities, ‘Sagar Manthan’ is expected to become an important platform for India’s ocean exploration efforts.
A major milestone for GRSE and Kolkata
The launch further highlights Kolkata’s position as an important centre for advanced shipbuilding in India. GRSE has increasingly expanded beyond conventional naval shipbuilding into specialised vessels and complex maritime platforms.
The construction of ‘Sagar Manthan’ also reflects the growing role of indigenous shipbuilding in supporting India’s scientific and strategic capabilities. Once operational, the vessel will provide researchers with a dedicated platform for studying the deep ocean, seabed ecosystems and marine environments.
The ₹840-crore project is therefore significant not only for India’s Deep Ocean Mission but also for Kolkata’s shipbuilding ecosystem, which continues to contribute to high-value maritime projects with national importance.