On Wednesday (September 9, 2026), Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) launched an indigenous ocean research vessel named ‘Sagar Manthan.’ This vessel is being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) to boost India’s deep-sea exploration and scientific research capabilities.
The ₹840-crore vessel is expected to be ready by early 2028. Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh congratulated GRSE and the Ministry of Earth Sciences on the successful launch, while Earth Sciences Secretary Srinivasa Kumar Tummala highlighted its significance for India’s Deep Ocean Mission.
The 89.5-meter-long and 18.8-meter-wide vessel weighs 5,900 tonnes and can travel at a speed of 14 knots. It is designed to operate in harsh sea conditions and will conduct research in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Southern Ocean, including waters near Antarctica.
Equipped with advanced scientific tools like sub-bottom profilers, seismic equipment, and Doppler weather radar, the vessel can carry out oceanographic and geophysical surveys. It will also support the launch and recovery of underwater vehicles for exploration.
The ‘Sagar Manthan’ is designed to explore depths up to 6 kilometers and perform tasks such as CTD profiling, water sampling, and seabed sampling. It includes facilities for scientists to conduct research onboard and train future oceanographers.
Mr. Tummala emphasized the vessel’s role in strengthening India’s efforts to explore marine resources like manganese nodules and polymetallic sulphides. The ship will also contribute to the government’s blue economy vision by supporting research in marine resources, shipping, energy, and tourism.
This advanced research vessel marks a significant milestone for India’s oceanographic capabilities.