Reinforcing its commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has commenced construction of two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) for the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The ceremonial steel cutting — marking the formal start of shipbuilding — was held on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Shri Asit Saha, Director General of GSI, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest, alongside senior officials from GRSE, GSI, the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Each CRV will measure 64 metres in length and 13 metres in width, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 461 tonnes. Designed for an endurance of 15 days and a top speed of 10 knots, the vessels will accommodate up to 35 personnel.
The ships will be equipped for offshore geological mapping, mineral exploration including dredging, and ocean environment monitoring and research. They will feature advanced scientific laboratories for onboard data processing and sample analysis. Fitted with Dynamic Positioning–1 systems, the vessels will be capable of maintaining position in Sea State 3 conditions.
Powered by diesel-electric propulsion, with diesel generators driving thrusters, the CRVs will operate within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 metres.
The order underscores GRSE’s growing expertise in building specialised research platforms. The shipyard is currently constructing an Ocean Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and an Acoustic Research Ship for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
GRSE has a longstanding legacy in survey and research vessel construction. Between 1981 and 1993, it delivered six survey vessels to the Indian Navy. In 1994, it built the marine acoustic research ship INS Sagardhwani for NPOL, which remains in service. Since 2023, the shipyard has delivered three Survey Vessels (Large) to the Navy, regarded as the largest and most advanced of their class built in India.
Speaking at the event, Shri Asit Saha said the new CRVs are double the size of GSI’s existing coastal vessels and expressed confidence that they will serve the organisation for many years. He described the strengthening partnership between GRSE and GSI on Valentine’s Day as a momentous occasion.
Cmde PR Hari highlighted GRSE’s growing global stature in line with the government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision. He noted that with four specialised research vessels currently under construction, GRSE is presently the only Indian shipyard building such advanced research platforms.
At present, GRSE is building 12 warships for the Navy, along with eight advanced multi-purpose vessels for a German company and 13 hybrid ferries for the Government of West Bengal. The shipyard is also awaiting the signing of a contract for five Next Generation Corvettes (NGC) for the Navy, for which it has emerged as the lowest bidder.
