Short Summary:
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. has signed a contract with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to build two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs). These 64-meter-long vessels will support offshore geological mapping, mineral exploration, and environmental monitoring within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Equipped with modern laboratories and Dynamic Positioning systems, the ships will accommodate 35 personnel and operate for up to 15 days. This project adds to GRSE’s growing portfolio of research and survey vessels alongside its ongoing warship and international cargo ship construction.
Full Article:
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. has signed a contract for the construction of two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) for the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
The agreement was signed by Commander Shantanu Bose, Director (Shipbuilding) at GRSE, and Dr. N. M. Shareef, Deputy Director General and Head of the Marine & Coastal Survey Division at GSI. The event was attended by Shri Asit Saha, Director General of GSI, along with other senior officials from both organisations.
This development further reflects GRSE’s capabilities in delivering research-focused marine platforms. The shipyard is already engaged in the construction of an Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and an Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a DRDO establishment.
Each of the newly contracted CRVs will be 64 meters in length and 12 meters in width, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 450 tons. The vessels will have an operational endurance of 15 days and a maximum speed of 10 knots, with onboard accommodation for up to 35 personnel.
Designed for scientific operations, these vessels will support offshore geological mapping, mineral exploration (including dredging), and oceanic environmental research. The ships will be equipped with modern laboratories for data processing and sample analysis. Key features include Dynamic Positioning – 1 capability for station-keeping in Sea State 3 conditions and diesel-electric propulsion, allowing them to operate in depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 meters within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
While GRSE is primarily known for its expertise in warship construction, the shipyard also has a substantial track record in building research vessels. It delivered the marine acoustic research ship INS Sagardhwani to NPOL in 1994 and previously constructed six survey vessels for the Indian Navy between 1981 and 1993. More recently, GRSE delivered two Sandhayak-class Survey Vessels (Large) to the Navy, with two more currently under construction. These are among the most advanced and largest survey vessels built in India.
Currently, GRSE is building 16 warships across four classes for the Indian Navy. The shipyard has also been identified as the lowest bidder for the Navy’s Next Generation Corvettes (NGC) programme, under which it is expected to construct five vessels. In addition, GRSE is executing an international order for eight multi-purpose cargo vessels for a German client.