The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a new research vessel called ORV Sagar Manthan at a shipyard in Kolkata. Built entirely within India by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, the vessel will conduct ocean research for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research. The launch was carried out virtually by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
Key details about the vessel
ORV Sagar Manthan has been constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 840 crore under the Deep Ocean Mission, a government flagship programme. The vessel took just over two years from contract signing in July 2024 to its launch in September 2026.
The ship is designed to work in harsh ocean conditions, including the Southern Ocean, and is expected to serve for 30 years. It replaces ORV Sagar Kanya, a research vessel that has been in use since 1983 after being purchased from Germany.
The new vessel comes equipped with advanced systems including dynamic positioning technology, multibeam bathymetry equipment, seismic systems, weather radar, and facilities to deploy underwater robots and autonomous vehicles. It meets international standards certified by both the Indian Register of Shipping and the American Bureau of Shipping.
ORV Sagar Manthan will support research across multiple disciplines. It will map underwater terrain along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges, identify mineral deposits on the ocean floor, collect atmospheric data, and measure water properties. Following its launch, the vessel will undergo superstructure completion, system integration and sea trials before commissioning scheduled for 2028.
What this means for you
India can now conduct its own ocean research without relying on foreign vessels, strengthening the country’s ability to understand climate change, predict natural disasters like tsunamis, and protect its maritime interests. The vessel represents India’s capacity to design and build complex research platforms domestically, reducing dependence on imports for scientific infrastructure.