Goa: In a significant stride toward self-reliance in defense production, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth launched India’s first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), named Samudra Pratap, in Goa today. The vessel, constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), is designed to combat oil spills along the nation’s coastline.
During the launch, Sanjay Seth emphasized the importance of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defense production, stating, “Our goal is not only to become self-sufficient in defense but also to transform India into a net exporter of defense equipment.” He commended the country’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that India has become the world’s fifth-largest economy and is now building ships for other countries.
The Samudra Pratap was ceremonially named and launched by Neeta Seth, in the presence of Sanjay Seth. The vessel, the first of its kind to be designed and constructed indigenously, highlights India’s growing expertise in shipbuilding for defense purposes.
Goa Shipyard Limited, a premier Indian shipyard, signed a Rs 583 crore contract to construct two pollution control vessels for the ICG. The Samudra Pratap, with a length of 114.5 meters, breadth of 16.5 meters, and a displacement of 4170 tonnes, will play a crucial role in managing environmental hazards along India’s sea coast. The keel for the vessel was laid on November 21, 2022.
The launch ceremony was attended by Brajesh Kumar Upadhyaya, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Goa Shipyard Ltd.
The successful construction of Samudra Pratap positions Goa Shipyard Limited as one of the leading shipyards capable of producing state-of-the-art Pollution Control Vessels, further enhancing India’s defense and environmental protection capabilities.