Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal during the signing of an MoU between Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) Ltd and Norway’s Kongsberg, in Oslo, Norway, Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Norway’s Kongsberg signed an MoU on Tuesday to build the country’s first ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV) indigenously. The MoU signing in Oslo (Norway) was presided over by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbnanda Sonowal.
“Together, we are building not just a vessel but a legacy of innovation, exploration, and international cooperation,” the Minister said adding that this MoU is a commitment to fostering scientific discovery, advancing India’s capabilities in polar and ocean research, and contributing to global efforts to address pressing challenges like climate change.
The vessel will be equipped with the latest scientific equipment, enabling our researchers to explore the oceans’ depths, study marine ecosystems, and unlock new insights into our planet’s past, present, and future.
“This will be a testament of India’s critical shipbuilding capabilities — boosting further the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make In India’ initiative,” he said.
The MoU between GRSE and Knogsberg marks an important milestone for India’s shipbuilding sector. GRSE will receive design expertise for developing the Polar Research Vessel while taking into account the requirements of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCOPR). The NCOPR will use it for research activities in the polar and southern ocean realms.
GRSE, with its rich experience constructing complex maritime platforms like warships and survey and research vessels, will build this PRV in its yard in Kolkata.
During a round table with Norwegian shipowners, the Union Minister also sought and invited investments into the country’s maritime sector. Members of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) were present today.
With major investments in green ports, alternative fuels like green hydrogen, and strategic incentives, India aims to become a global leader in shipbuilding.
“Our growing partnership with Norway — reflected in Indian shipyards delivering next-gen vessels to Norwegian firms — showcases India’s emergence as a trusted, future-ready hub for cost-effective and sustainable maritime solutions. Let’s strengthen this momentum together,” Sonowal said.
Indian shipyards currently hold 11% of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA)’s order book.
Sonowal pitched for further expansion of orders, including leveraging India’s ship-breaking credit note scheme. Emphasising India’s robust seafaring workforce—ranked second in NSA’s global fleet—he called for broader recruitment partnerships.
Investment opportunities available under India’s flagship Sagarmala programme and the $2.9 billion Maritime Development Fund, could also be explored. He said India is also offering incentives across shipbuilding, ports, and logistics.
Published on June 3, 2025
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal during the signing of an MoU between Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) Ltd and Norway’s Kongsberg, in Oslo, Norway, Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Norway’s Kongsberg signed an MoU on Tuesday to build the country’s first ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV) indigenously. The MoU signing in Oslo (Norway) was presided over by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbnanda Sonowal.
“Together, we are building not just a vessel but a legacy of innovation, exploration, and international cooperation,” the Minister said adding that this MoU is a commitment to fostering scientific discovery, advancing India’s capabilities in polar and ocean research, and contributing to global efforts to address pressing challenges like climate change.
The vessel will be equipped with the latest scientific equipment, enabling our researchers to explore the oceans’ depths, study marine ecosystems, and unlock new insights into our planet’s past, present, and future.
“This will be a testament of India’s critical shipbuilding capabilities — boosting further the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make In India’ initiative,” he said.
The MoU between GRSE and Knogsberg marks an important milestone for India’s shipbuilding sector. GRSE will receive design expertise for developing the Polar Research Vessel while taking into account the requirements of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCOPR). The NCOPR will use it for research activities in the polar and southern ocean realms.
GRSE, with its rich experience constructing complex maritime platforms like warships and survey and research vessels, will build this PRV in its yard in Kolkata.
During a round table with Norwegian shipowners, the Union Minister also sought and invited investments into the country’s maritime sector. Members of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) were present today.
With major investments in green ports, alternative fuels like green hydrogen, and strategic incentives, India aims to become a global leader in shipbuilding.
“Our growing partnership with Norway — reflected in Indian shipyards delivering next-gen vessels to Norwegian firms — showcases India’s emergence as a trusted, future-ready hub for cost-effective and sustainable maritime solutions. Let’s strengthen this momentum together,” Sonowal said.
Indian shipyards currently hold 11% of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA)’s order book.
Sonowal pitched for further expansion of orders, including leveraging India’s ship-breaking credit note scheme. Emphasising India’s robust seafaring workforce—ranked second in NSA’s global fleet—he called for broader recruitment partnerships.
Investment opportunities available under India’s flagship Sagarmala programme and the $2.9 billion Maritime Development Fund, could also be explored. He said India is also offering incentives across shipbuilding, ports, and logistics.
Published on June 3, 2025
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution
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