Image Credit: X account @sarbanandsonwal
India to Build First Indigenous Polar Research Vessel
In a milestone move aimed at scientific self-reliance, India is set to build its first-ever indigenous Polar Research Vessel (PRV), breaking its dependency on foreign-chartered vessels for Arctic and Antarctic missions. The strategic collaboration was marked by a formal agreement between Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) and Norwegian marine technology firm Kongsberg Maritime.
The agreement was signed in Oslo at the Nor-Shipping 2025 summit, in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. Highlighting the partnership’s symbolic and strategic significance, Sonowal said:
“Let this MoU signing be a beacon of hope and progress, signalling India’s unwavering commitment to scientific advancement and sustainable development. Together, we are building not just a vessel but a legacy of innovation, exploration, and international cooperation that will inspire generations to come.”
The vessel will be constructed entirely in India at GRSE’s Kolkata facilities, with design expertise sourced from Kongsberg Maritime. It will serve the research needs of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), offering India independent access to the icy frontiers of global climate research.
Polar Research Vessel Boosts Indigenous Shipbuilding
This initiative not only strengthens India’s research capabilities but also marks a significant leap under the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission. Until now, Indian researchers had to rely on expensive, short-term leasing of foreign ships to access its polar bases—Bharati and Maitri in Antarctica, and research outposts in the Arctic.
The new PRV, expected to cost around ₹2,600 crore and be operational within five years, will be equipped with cutting-edge systems for oceanography, climate data gathering, and marine biodiversity studies. It is also expected to enhance India’s participation in international climate dialogues and polar science missions.
By manufacturing such a complex vessel locally, GRSE continues to build on its reputation as a premier shipbuilding firm in the region, having previously delivered advanced platforms to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
Maritime Diplomacy and Global Collaboration
During his visit to Norway, Minister Sonowal also pitched India’s growing shipbuilding sector to global investors. In meetings with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, he revealed that Indian shipyards currently handle 11% of the association’s international orders—an indicator of India’s rising maritime footprint.
He promoted initiatives like the $2.9 billion Maritime Development Fund and the forthcoming Sagarmala 2.0 plan to incentivize foreign participation. Reinforcing India’s commitment to regional and global cooperation, Sonowal also underlined the vision of MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region—as the future of India’s blue economy diplomacy.
This PRV project isn’t just about building a ship. It’s about projecting Indian capabilities into the high-stakes arena of global climate science, shipbuilding excellence, and strategic diplomacy. It reaffirms India’s resolve to lead from the front when it comes to sustainable development and indigenous innovation in maritime domains.
