India is set to construct its first-ever indigenous Polar Research Vessel (PRV) through a collaboration between Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on June 2, 2025, in Oslo during the Nor-Shipping 2025 conference, with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in attendance .

Project Overview

• The PRV will be built at GRSE’s shipyard in Kolkata, leveraging India's growing shipbuilding capabilities.
• Kongsberg Oslo Maritime will provide specialized design expertise to ensure the vessel meets the requirements of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).
• The PRV will support India's scientific missions in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, contributing significantly to climate research, oceanography, and polar logistics .

Strategic Significance
This initiative aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2047, aiming to enhance the nation's maritime capabilities and scientific research infrastructure. The collaboration with Kongsberg Maritime underscores India's commitment to integrating global expertise in its indigenous shipbuilding efforts .

The PRV is expected to be operational within the next five years, marking a significant milestone in India's polar research and maritime development.