GSI issues LoA to GRSE for two coastal research vessels

The order is worth Rs 489.98 crore and has to be executed within a period of 36 months from the signing of the contract between GRSE and GSI. According to the Union Ministry of Mines, under which GSI operates, these CRVs will be built to operate within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at depths ranging from 5 to 1,000 metres. They will have a minimum service life of 30 years with normal maintenance and will be at sea for about 270 days a year at different intervals.

An official stated that these vessels will be about 62 metres long and 12 metres wide, with a draught requirement of 3.2 metres, adding that their deadweight tonnage will be about 450 tons. The ships will have a top speed of 10 knots and an endurance of 15 days at one go. The CRVs will feature diesel-electric propulsion, with diesel generators driving the trustees during normal operations. Batteries, charged using shore power, will be used while cruising from departure and during stationary scientific operations. The batteries should allow high-speed charging and come with a warranty of 10 years.

The main activities of the vessels will include offshore geological mapping, mineral exploration (including dredging), ocean environment monitoring and research, as well as shipboard data processing and sample analysis in modern, well-equipped scientific laboratories. GRSE, primarily known for building warships, has delivered a record 110 of them to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. It is fast emerging as a destination for those seeking advanced scientific vessels.

The shipyard is currently working on an Acoustic Research Ship for the DRDO and an Ocean Research Vessel for the Ministry of Earth Sciences. GRSE is now engaged in constructing 41 vessels, including 17 warships for the Indian Navy. These warships, which belong to four different classes, include three Advanced Frigates under the Navy's Project 17A and four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.