Bharat to build new vessel to explore deep oceans; signs Rs 840 crore contract

Bharat is all set to build a new vessel to explore the presence of rare minerals and metals in the Indian Ocean. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research has agreed with Garden Reach Builders and Engineers in this regard. The vessel is going to be the largest exploration vessel ever built in Bharat. Its length will be 89.5 metres; it will be 18.80 metres wide. The depth is 12.50 metres. It will weigh 5,900 tons.  The exploration ship is going to be built as a part of the deep sea mission under Athma Nirbhar Bharat. The total cost is estimated to be Rs 840 crore.

The vessel, designed to carry 34 scientists at a time, will be equipped with modern and sophisticated laboratories, scientific equipment, and facilities. This new vessel, a long-awaited addition to the country’s scientific fleet, is expected to meet the nation’s scientific requirements for the next 30 years. It is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage in the next 38 months, marking the beginning of a new era in Indian marine exploration.

The reports suggest that the ship is expected to permit conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) profiling and water sampling operations like biological sampling using vertical and horizontal methods through various nets. The vessel helps carry out surface and deep-sea mooring and data buoy operations, seabed sampling using corers and grabs, and rock dredging with chain bag dredges. Atmospheric observations, surface meteorological and current measurements, and collection of upper air data will be performed. It helps to deploy and retrieve heavy test or protocol-type equipment.

It is a long-awaited research vessel. The country’s existing research vessels are either nearly obsolete and suffering limitations in equipping the latest scientific facilities and equipment or have been decommissioned. Moreover, they are not suitable for certain mineral explorations, so our researchers will have to hire vessels from other countries often.

The vessel can sail at a speed of 14 knots at a 90 per cent maximum continuous rating. The vessel is capable of operating at a maximum depth of 6,000 metres and will have a 45-day endurance.