GRSE signs contract with GSI to build coastal research vessels

Garden Reach Shipbuilder and Engineers (GRSE) has signed a contract with the Geological Survey of India to build two Coastal Research Vessels. While GRSE, a ministry of defence undertaking, specialises in building warships, the company also builds special-purpose research vessels. 

According to a statement by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, the Coastal Research Vessel being built by the company will be used by the Geological Survey of India to carry out offshore geological mapping, ocean environment monitoring, and mineral exploration. 

Each Coastal Research Vessel will have a length of 64 metres and a width of 12 metres. These ships will have a total loading capacity of 450. With a top speed of 10 knots, these vessels will have an endurance of 15 days. 

The ships will be equipped with modern scientific laboratories for research, sample analysis, and data processing. Furthermore, the ships will have facilities to accommodate 35 people. 

Besides its specialty of building warships for the Indian Navy, GRSE has long been active in making research ships for different research and defence departments of India. From 1981 to 1993, GRSE built six survey vessels for the Indian Navy. 

Currently, GRSE is building an Ocean Research Vessel for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research of the Ministry of Earth Science. Additionally, it is also building an Acoustic Research Ship for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO. 

Besides the research vessels, GRSE is building 16 warships for the Indian Navy. These warships are of four different classes. GRSE is also expected to receive a contract award from the India Navy for Next Generation Corvettes, as it emerged as the lowest bidder. 

Garden Reach Shipbuilder and Engineers is also building 8 multi-purpose cargo vessels for a German Company.