Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers has laid the keels for two Coastal Research Vessels being built for the Geological Survey of India.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday with GSI’s Director General Varsha Ashok Aglawe as the chief guest. Senior officials from GRSE, GSI, TNSL and the Indian Register of Shipping were also present.

The vessels will each measure 64 metres in length and 13 metres in width. They will have a dead-weight tonnage of about 461 tons, an endurance of 15 days and a top speed of 10 knots. Each vessel will be able to accommodate up to 35 personnel.

The CRVs are designed to support offshore geological mapping and mineral exploration. Their roles will include dredging, ocean environment monitoring and research. They will be fitted with scientific laboratories for data processing and sample analysis. Each vessel will also feature Dynamic Positioning-1 systems to maintain position in Sea State 3.

The propulsion system will be diesel-electric, with diesel generators driving the thrusters. The vessels will operate within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone at depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 metres. This capability will allow them to conduct a wide range of offshore geological and mineral exploration tasks.

The order highlights GRSE’s expertise in designing and building specialised vessels. The shipyard is currently constructing an Ocean Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is also building an Acoustic Research Ship for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, a DRDO establishment.

GRSE has a track record of delivering advanced research and survey ships. It has previously built two series of Sandhayak-class survey vessels for the Indian Navy. In 1994, it delivered the marine acoustic research ship INS Sagardhwani to NPOL.

More recently, GRSE received a Notification of Award from ONGC for the construction of four Platform Supply Vessels.

GSI Director General Varsha Ashok Aglawe said the two vessels would strengthen India’s ability to explore mineral resources beyond its land borders. She emphasised their role in expanding offshore mineral exploration capabilities. GRSE CMD Commander PR Hari (Retd) stated that the keel laying marked the transition from design and planning to physical construction. He expressed confidence that the vessels would be delivered on schedule and to high quality standards.

The construction of these vessels reflects India’s growing emphasis on offshore resource exploration. It also demonstrates GRSE’s role in supporting national scientific and strategic objectives through advanced shipbuilding.

Agencies