On October 29, 2024, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd signed a ₹490.98 crore contract with the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) to construct an Acoustic Research Ship (ARS). This project highlights GRSE’s expertise in specialized vessel construction.
The ARS will be 90 meters long, 14 meters wide, and capable of speeds between 4 and 12 knots, with a range of 4,500 nautical miles for 30 days. It will support a crew of 70 and be equipped for various research tasks, including deploying acoustic modules and conducting high-resolution surveys.
The vessel will feature a dynamic positioning system for stability in rough seas and will use diesel-electric propulsion with three deck cranes for equipment handling. GRSE, which has a strong track record in building research vessels, is also currently constructing 17 warships for the Indian Navy and an advanced Ocean Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.