India has launched a state-of-the-art Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), designed for deep-sea exploration up to 6,000 metres, Economic Times reported.

The ship will support rare earth mineral surveys, subsea oil and gas exploration, and advanced oceanographic research, marking a major boost to India’s scientific and strategic maritime capabilities.

The vessel was virtually launched by Union Minister Jitendra Singh for the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Measuring 89.5 metres in length, 18.8 metres in width, and 12.5 metres in depth, it has a gross tonnage of 5,900 tons and can achieve a maximum speed of 14 knots at 90% continuous rating.

Its design enables operations in both coastal waters and the deep sea, with endurance for multidisciplinary missions.

The ship is equipped for multibeam bathymetry, seismic surveys, CTD profiling, and water sampling. Its seismic survey capability will allow scientists to study subsea geological structures, particularly those relevant to oil and gas exploration.

It will also support surface and deep-sea mooring, buoy operations, seabed sampling, rock dredging, and deployment of AUVs and ROVs.

Onboard laboratories will enable immediate data analysis, while the vessel will also serve as a training platform for scientists and technicians.

A key innovation is the inclusion of a gondola and drop keel, which position sensitive instruments away from turbulence, ensuring accurate acoustic and oceanographic measurements. The ship will house advanced laboratories and systems such as multichannel seismic equipment, ocean profilers, seabed samplers, and heavy-duty deck machinery.

Built under dual classification of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), it complies with IMO MARPOL standards for environmental safety.

The vessel is fitted with a DP2 dynamic positioning system, allowing precise manoeuvring and station-keeping during scientific operations. This ensures accuracy in tasks such as seabed sampling and seismic surveys, where even minor deviations can compromise results.

GRSE has highlighted that this ORV is part of India’s broader push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in shipbuilding, complementing its recent delivery of survey vessels and coastal research ships.

The ORV will significantly enhance India’s ability to explore rare earth minerals, hydrocarbons, and other deep-sea resources, while also strengthening its role in global oceanographic research.

This launch comes at a time when India is expanding its maritime research infrastructure, with GRSE also building coastal research vessels for the Geological Survey of India and an acoustic research ship for DRDO’s Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory.

Together, these projects reflect India’s growing emphasis on ocean science, resource exploration, and strategic maritime presence.

Agencies