News: GRSE, Kolkata launched Sagar Manthan on 9 September 2026 for NCPOR under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

About Sagar Manthan

• Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• Purpose: Strengthen India’s Deep Ocean Mission and sustainable exploration of ocean resources.
• Cost: ₹840 crore | Operational: Expected by early 2028.
• Size: 89.5 m long, 18.8 m wide; gross tonnage of 5,900 tonnes.
• Operating areas: Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Southern Ocean and waters around Antarctica.

Key Capabilities

• Oceanographic & Geophysical Research: Uses sub-bottom profilers, seismic equipment and advanced oceanographic instruments.
• Deep-Sea Exploration: Can launch/recover AUVs and ROVs developed by NIOT.
• Deep-Sea Surveys: Conducts multibeam and seismic surveys up to 6 km depth.
• Sampling: CTD profiling, water/biological sampling, seabed coring, grabs and rock dredging.
• Atmospheric Studies: Atmospheric observations, meteorological measurements, surface currents and upper-air data.
• Floating Laboratory: Onboard facilities for scientific analysis, data processing, training and education.

Marine Minerals & Blue Economy

• Supports exploration of manganese nodules and polymetallic sulphides.
• Contributes to India’s Blue Economy through research supporting shipping, energy, logistics, tourism and marine resources.

Significance

Sagar Manthan will enhance India’s deep-ocean research, seabed mapping, marine mineral exploration and ocean–atmosphere studies, strengthening indigenous scientific capabilities under the Deep Ocean Mission.