GRSE commences Steel-Cutting of an ORV for NCPOR, MoES

KOLKATA : In keeping with its proven commitment towards customers and the capability to handle multiple projects of various classes concurrently, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd commenced steel-cutting of an Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) that the shipyard is building for the National Centre for Polar & Ocean Research (NCPOR) on Friday, November 29, 2024.

This important event that marks the start of any shipbuilding process after the signing of the contract between GRSE and NCPOR, an organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, on July 16, 2024. While Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, among the others present were Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, Shri RK Dash, Director (Finance), GRSE, Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd.), Director (Personnel), GRSE, Dr. Thamban Meloth, Director, NCPOR, Dr. M.V. Ramana Murthy, Scientist G, Mission Director, MoES, and other senior officers from NCPOR & GRSE.

The contract for the ORV is worth nearly Rs 840 crore. The ship will be 89.50-metres long and 18.80-metres wide, with a depth of 12.50-metres. It will have a gross tonnage of 5,900 Tons with a speed of 14 knots at 90% maximum continuous rating (MCR). The research vessel will be able to operate at a maximum depth of 6,000-metres. Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), while mentioning that the transformative change in the ocean contributes not only to GDP growth but also sustainability in the future, stated that this pilot project is part of the Deep Ocean Mission in line with the Government of India’s Vision 2047 and more such strong collaborations with GRSE are expected in the future. He mentioned that this unique ship will be a first for the country & congratulated GRSE for taking up this project and building this ship for NCPOR.