Panaji: On September 1, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched its first indigenously developed pollution control vessel, 'Samudra Pratap,' at a ceremony in Goa. The vessel, designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), is a significant step towards enhancing India's shipbuilding capabilities and progressing towards self-reliance in defence production.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, who presided over the launch, underscored the importance of industry partnerships in making India self-sufficient in defence production and contributing to the nation’s goal of becoming a net exporter. The 'Samudra Pratap' is specifically designed to address oil spillage along India’s coastlines and represents a major milestone in the country’s indigenous shipbuilding efforts.

The vessel, which measures 114.5 meters in length and 16.5 meters in breadth, displaces 4,170 tons. GSL, a prominent Indian shipyard, secured a contract worth Rs 583 crores to build two such vessels for the ICG. This project marks the first time these vessels have been designed and constructed entirely in India, demonstrating GSL’s capability to produce state-of-the-art pollution control vessels.

The launch event was attended by Brajesh Kumar Upadhyaya, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Coast Guard, and the Indian Navy. The vessel, which is 72% self-reliant, is equipped with advanced technology to combat coastal pollution effectively and is expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime environment and ensuring coastal security. The 'Samudra Pratap' is valued at Rs 2,500 crores, highlighting its significance in India's maritime defence infrastructure. /BI