Kolkata, India |Reinforcing India’s push for self-reliance in strategic maritime capabilities, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) on Saturday commenced construction of two advanced Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) for the Geological Survey of India (GSI) with a ceremonial steel-cutting event held in Kolkata.
The ceremony was attended by Asit Saha, Director General of GSI, who was the chief guest, along with senior officials from GRSE, GSI, the Indian Armed Forces, and the Indian Revenue Service.
Steel cutting marks the formal beginning of ship construction. The two CRVs will each measure 64 meters in length and 13 meters in width, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 461 tons. Designed for extended missions, the vessels will have an endurance of 15 days, a maximum speed of 10 knots, and accommodation for up to 35 personnel.
The vessels will significantly enhance India’s offshore research capabilities. Equipped to conduct geological mapping, mineral exploration—including dredging—and ocean environmental monitoring, the ships will feature state-of-the-art scientific laboratories for onboard data processing and sample analysis.
Fitted with Dynamic Positioning-1 systems, the vessels will be capable of maintaining precise positioning in Sea State 3 conditions. Powered by diesel-electric propulsion, the CRVs will operate within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone at depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 meters.
The order reflects GRSE’s growing reputation for delivering technologically advanced and specialized vessels. The shipyard is currently constructing an Ocean Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and an Acoustic Research Ship for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Speaking at the event, DG GSI Asit Saha said the new vessels are nearly double the size of GSI’s existing coastal research fleet and will serve the organization for decades. He described the partnership with GRSE, formalized on Valentine’s Day, as a “momentous occasion.”
Senior GRSE official PR Hari highlighted the shipyard’s rapid global rise, aligning with the government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision. He noted that GRSE is currently the only Indian shipyard building multiple high-end specialized research vessels simultaneously.
Beyond research platforms, GRSE is presently constructing 12 warships for the Indian Navy, eight advanced multi-purpose vessels for a German firm, and 13 hybrid ferries for the Government of West Bengal. The company is also awaiting contract finalization for five Next Generation Corvettes, for which it has emerged as the lowest bidder.
The commencement of the CRVs underscores India’s expanding maritime research ambitions and GRSE’s growing role as a global shipbuilding player.