‘Samudra Prachet’ Launched: India Bolsters Coast Guard With Second Indigenous PCV

In a significant boost to India’s maritime environmental protection capabilities, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched ‘Samudra Prachet’, the second and final vessel in a series of two indigenously built Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The ceremony marks a defining moment in India’s pursuit of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence and maritime sectors, showcasing advanced technological integration and a strong commitment to safeguarding the marine environment.

The vessel was launched by Smt. Priya Paramesh, Guest of Honour, in the presence of Director General of Indian Coast Guard (DGICG) Paramesh Sivamani, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, GSL, and ICG, including key stakeholders and industry representatives.

A Major Milestone in Indigenous Maritime Capability

With an impressive 72% indigenous content, ‘Samudra Prachet’ is a symbol of India’s growing shipbuilding proficiency. The project has significantly contributed to:

• Employment generation

• Skill enhancement

• Capability building across local industries and MSMEs

Speaking at the launch, DGICG Paramesh Sivamani highlighted the vessel’s strategic significance in ensuring rapid and effective responses to marine oil spill disasters within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He praised the partnership between GSL and the Indian Coast Guard, and urged continued momentum in pursuing India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, especially in defence shipbuilding.

Cutting-Edge Features and Environmental Role

‘Samudra Prachet’ is engineered to handle a wide range of pollution control tasks and is equipped with state-of-the-art systems to combat marine environmental hazards. The vessel specifications include:

• Length: 114.5 metres

• Breadth: 16.5 metres

• Displacement: 4,170 tonnes

• Crew: 14 officers and 115 sailors

Key equipment and capabilities:

• Two side-sweeping arms for oil spill recovery while underway

• Modern radar and slick detection systems to track oil spills

• Capability to handle a full viscosity spectrum of oil

• Integrated systems to recover, analyse, and separate oil from contaminated water

• Dedicated onboard tanks for storage of recovered oil

These features enable the vessel to act swiftly and efficiently during marine pollution emergencies, significantly enhancing the Indian Coast Guard’s environmental response infrastructure.

Industrial Contribution and Vision for the Future

Chairman & Managing Director of GSL, Mr. Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, expressed pride in the team’s efforts and lauded the vessel as a “critical platform in India’s maritime preparedness for pollution control.” He reaffirmed GSL’s commitment to innovative, indigenous shipbuilding that meets the evolving needs of the country’s maritime forces.

Upadhyay also underscored GSL’s role in creating a robust defence industrial base by empowering local enterprises, MSMEs, and young engineers through collaboration and technology sharing.

Strengthening Maritime Environmental Security

The Pollution Control Vessels are purpose-built for environmental emergencies such as oil spills, chemical leaks, and other maritime pollutants that threaten ecological balance, fisheries, coastal communities, and shipping lanes. With increasing marine traffic and industrial expansion along India’s coastline, such platforms are not only operational necessities but strategic assets in blue economy governance and maritime domain awareness.

Building on Momentum: The First PCV

The first PCV under this series was launched on August 29, 2024, and is slated for delivery soon. With the addition of ‘Samudra Prachet’, the Indian Coast Guard will operate a pair of modern, indigenous PCVs capable of responding to diverse pollution control scenarios and supplementing coastal and oceanic safety operations.

The launch of ‘Samudra Prachet’ represents more than just the addition of a new vessel to the ICG’s fleet—it is a reaffirmation of India’s strategic maritime autonomy, environmental foresight, and industrial self-sufficiency. As India continues to expand its maritime footprint and enhance its coastal surveillance network, such indigenously built vessels will serve as pillars of operational readiness, ecological protection, and national pride.