Kolkata: In yet another major step towards Aatmanirbharta and the GoI’s Make in India initiative, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, laid the keels for two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) being built for the Geological Survey of India (GSI), on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Varsha Ashok Aglawe, the first lady Director General of GSI, was the Chief Guest for the event. The others present at the occasion included senior officials from GRSE, GSI, TNSL and IRS.
The keel of any vessel is similar to the spine in humans. The entire skeletal structure of the ship is attached to it, providing the necessary strength to the platform. The keel laying marks an important milestone in the shipbuilding process, as the vessel’s principal structural elements begin to take shape around this central component.
The CRVs will be 64 metres long and 13 metres wide with a deadweight tonnage of about 461 Tons. These vessels will have an endurance of 15 days with a top speed of 10 knots. Each ship will have facilities for 35 personnel on board.
These research vessels will have capabilities to carry out offshore geological mapping, mineral exploration (including dredging), ocean environment monitoring and research. They will have modern, well-equipped scientific laboratories on board for data processing and sample analysis. These ships will be fitted with Dynamic Positioning – 1 to enable them to maintain position even in Sea State 3. Powered by diesel-electric propulsion, with diesel generators driving the thrusters, these ships would operate within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India, in depths of 5-1,000 metres.
The order for these CRVs was on recognition of GRSE’s proven excellence in the field of advanced specialised vessels. The shipyard is currently building an Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, and an Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), an establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Having delivered two series of Sandhayak Class of survey vessels to the Navy and the marine acoustic research ship INS Sagardhwani to NPOL in 1994, GRSE has established its position as a designer and builder of specialised platforms.
Recently, the shipyard has received the Notification of Award (NOA) from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) for the construction of four Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs).
Varsha Ashok Aglawe, DG, GSI, said, “The two Coastal Research Vessels being constructed will prove to be extremely valuable in exploring our mineral resources beyond the country’s land borders. Once commissioned, these vessels will play a pivotal role in augmenting India’s offshore mineral exploration capabilities. This project aligns seamlessly with our national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat @2047 and achieving comprehensive self-reliance in the mineral sector.”
Cmde PR Hari, IN(Retd), CMD, GRSE said, “The keel laying of the two Coastal Research Vessels is a significant milestone, marking the transformation of design and planning into the physical construction of the vessels. Backed by strong collaboration among all stakeholders, GRSE is confident of delivering these specialised vessels to the Geological Survey of India on schedule and with the highest quality standards.”
