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KOLKATA, Sept 10:

India’s deep-sea research capabilities received a major boost with the launch of the indigenous Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) ‘Sagar Manthan’ at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.

The vessel, being built by GRSE for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, is part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission. The Rs 840-crore vessel is expected to be ready for operational deployment by early 2028.

Sagar Manthan is 89.5 metres long and 18.8 metres wide and has a gross tonnage of about 5,900 tonnes. It will have a maximum speed of up to 14 knots.

The vessel will enable scientists to conduct detailed surveys in coastal waters and deep seas, including geophysical seismic surveys and swath multibeam surveys. It will be capable of operating at depths of up to 6,000 metres.

The research vessel will also undertake conductivity, temperature and depth profiling, water sampling, biological sampling, seabed sampling and rock dredging. It will carry out oceanographic, atmospheric and meteorological observations and enable scientists to process research data on board.

One of the major capabilities of Sagar Manthan will be its ability to launch and recover autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles developed under the Deep Ocean Mission. These systems will enable scientists to explore areas of the ocean that are difficult to access through conventional methods.

The vessel will also support deep-sea mooring and data-buoy operations. It will provide facilities for scientific research, training and education of scientists and technicians.

The launch took place only about five months after the keel-laying ceremony, underlining the pace of construction. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said the vessel represented India’s growing indigenous capabilities in shipbuilding, engineering and scientific research.

GRSE chairman and managing director Cmde P.R. Hari (Retd) said the shipyard’s expertise was expanding from indigenous warship construction to specialised research vessels. GRSE has been building survey vessels for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades and has recently completed a series of large survey vessels.

The launch of Sagar Manthan is expected to strengthen India’s scientific presence in the deep ocean and support research into marine resources, oceanography, climate and the seabed.