Daijiworld Media Network – Vasco

Vasco, Oct 21: With the Union government’s Department of Expenditure granting in-principle approval, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Vasco has begun work on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for India’s first indigenously built ice-class polar research vessel.

Estimated to cost between Rs 2,400 crore and Rs 2,700 crore, the vessel is likely to be constructed by an Indian shipyard, possibly through technology transfer or a collaboration with an international shipbuilder, said NCPOR Director Dr. Thamban Meloth.

“The in-principle approval, which came in August, is essentially to begin the design process. We have received an estimated expenditure sanction of Rs 2,700 crore, though this is not the final figure,” Meloth told TOI.

The cost estimate for the vessel was prepared by the Indian Maritime University (IMU) and later vetted by a cost committee earlier this year. A previous tender for the vessel had been cancelled after the identified shipbuilder sought changes to the contractual terms that were deemed unacceptable.

Since India’s first scientific expedition to Antarctica in 1981, the country has relied on chartered ice-class cargo vessels for transporting expedition personnel and cargo. However, these ships were not equipped for oceanographic research, prompting the push for a dedicated polar research vessel.

The Antarctic expeditions typically last 130 to 150 days, during which the vessel remains anchored in the Southern Ocean, close to India’s research stations. Meloth said the construction of the new vessel is expected to take around five years, with commissioning likely by 2030–31.

“The polar vessel is expected to be ready about two years before our new research station is commissioned. We are seeking a five-year window for construction as the design process is detailed,” he explained.

The ice-class vessel will be capable of independent navigation at 1.5 knots through compact ice about 1.2 metres thick, featuring a double-skinned hull, bow thrusters for stability, and the ability to operate in the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean.

Designed for multidisciplinary research, the vessel will include temperature-controlled accommodation, onboard laboratories, a helideck for heavy-lift helicopters, and deck-based cranes for equipment handling—marking a significant milestone in India’s polar research capabilities.