India to Build First-Ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV)

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Norwegian firm Kongsberg to build India’s first-ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV).

• The MoU was signed during Sonowal’s official visit to Norway as part of the Nor-Shipping 2025 event.
• The MoU between GRSE and Knogsberg marks an important milestone for India’s shipbuilding sector as it will receive design expertise for developing the PRV, while taking into account the requirement of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCOPR), who will use it for research activities in the polar and southern ocean realms.
• The PRV will be developed with design expertise from Kongsberg and constructed by GRSE in Kolkata.
• It will cater to the requirements of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), enabling scientific exploration in the polar and Southern Ocean regions.
• Equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instruments, the vessel will support marine research, ecosystem studies, and contribute to global climate change efforts.