Acquisition of Research Vessel for Geological Survey of India

Geological Survey of India is procuring the new Research Vessel as a replacement of the existing Research Vessel ‘Samudra Manthan’ possessed by GSI at present for undertaking seabed surveys and exploration of non-living resources. This vessel has an endurance of 45 days and Geological Survey of India has prepared a long-term programme for the vessel in the EEZ and beyond. The vessel is capable of surveying to the full ocean depth (6000 m). The cost of the vessel is Rs 549.5 crore. The vessel is expected to be delivered by September 2013.

GSI has hired two consultants viz., the Shipping Corporation of India[SCI], being a Government of India undertaking appointed as first consultant on nomination basis and M/s Wartsila Ship Design, Norway [WSDN] appointed as the second (foreign) consultant through global tendering process. Concept Design and technical specifications have been prepared by the M/s WSDN and SCI as per the requirements of GSI. Further, the selection of the shipyard i.e. M/s Hyundai Heavy Industries [HHI], Korea has also been done through global tendering process. The dimensions and concept design have been finalised after a number of interactions and discussions with the consultants, experts from various allied organisations. The specifications of the scientific equipments have been finalised on the basis of global market survey, discussions with experts in the field. The SCI scrutinised and verified all parameters of the vessel.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Mines (Independent Charge) Shri Dinsha Patel in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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