India is poised to enhance its polar and ocean research capabilities by building its first polar research vessel (PRV). A significant step towards this was taken when Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Norway’s Kongsberg signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Oslo on Tuesday to facilitate the construction of the vessel.

GRSE, which has prior experience in building complex maritime platforms such as warships and survey vessels, will construct the PRV at its shipyard in Kolkata. This partnership represents a major milestone for India’s shipbuilding industry. GRSE will benefit from design expertise provided by Kongsberg, while the Goa-based National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research will utilize the domestically built vessel for scientific research in polar and southern ocean regions.

Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, stated in a press release that the vessel would be outfitted with state-of-the-art scientific equipment, enabling researchers to explore ocean depths, study marine ecosystems, and gain new insights into the planet’s history and future. Sonowal, who was present at the MoU signing ceremony in Oslo, is currently on a five-day official visit to Norway to participate in the Nor-Shipping maritime trade fair and also plans to visit Denmark to strengthen India’s maritime ties with global maritime leaders.

Sonowal also sought Norway’s cooperation in initiatives such as green shipping corridors, ship recycling, and adherence to International Maritime Organization (IMO)-aligned net-zero goals. He noted that 87% of Indian ship recycling yards comply with the Hong Kong international convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.