On September 9, 2026, India took a significant step toward self-reliance in oceanographic research and maritime technology with the launch of the Ocean Research Vessel (Yard 3041), named ORV Sagar Manthan. The vessel was inaugurated at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Earth Sciences, via a virtual platform. This state-of-the-art vessel has been meticulously designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Dr. Singh hailed the launch as a “red letter day” for both NCPOR and the nation, commending the team for their swift progress, achieving the launch in just two years post-contract signing and five months after keel laying. The ORV Sagar Manthan is set to replace the 43-year-old ORV Sagar Kanya, which was acquired from Germany in 1983. The Minister emphasized the Ministry’s plans to expand its fleet of oceanographic vessels, including a Polar Research Vessel in the near future.
Highlighting the vessel’s strategic importance, Dr. Singh remarked that the ORV Sagar Manthan represents India’s commitment to self-reliance, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Atmanirbharta. Built under the government’s Deep Ocean Mission at an estimated cost of Rs 840 crore, this advanced multi-disciplinary platform is designed to operate in extreme oceanic conditions, including the Southern Ocean, and boasts a service life of 30 years. Following the launch, the vessel will undergo superstructure erection, system integration, and extensive sea trials before its expected commissioning to NCPOR/MoES in 2028.
