India Launches ‘Samudra Prachet’: Second Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel to Strengthen Maritime Environmental Security.

On 23 July 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched ‘Samudra Prachet’, India’s second indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). This launch marks a major step in enhancing India’s maritime oil spill response capacity and reflects the country’s self-reliance in maritime defense infrastructure under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

      - The 4,170-tonne vessel is equipped with cutting-edge oil spill control and marine pollution response systems, including oil containment booms, skimmers, side-sweeping arms, and dispersant spray systems. It measures 114.5 metres in length and 16.5 metres in breadth, and is designed to handle complex operations such as real-time pollution detection, oil recovery, onboard separation of pollutants, and safe storage of recovered oil using fully automated processes.

      - With 72% indigenous content, ‘Samudra Prachet’ exemplifies the Make in India initiative, involving significant contributions from Indian MSMEs and marine technology suppliers. This boosts local employment, innovation, and skill development in India’s growing shipbuilding sector. The ship is manned by 14 officers and 115 sailors, demonstrating its crew’s operational readiness for rapid deployment in critical pollution control operations.

      - The vessel is a follow-up to its sister ship ‘Samudra Pratap’, launched on 29 August 2024, completing the ICG’s twin PCV project under the Ministry of Defence. These vessels will significantly enhance India’s ability to respond to oil spills and chemical leaks across the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), especially in environmentally sensitive zones and near major ports.

Main Point :-   (i) ‘Samudra Prachet’ is also capable of secondary missions including firefighting, high-speed interdiction, environmental monitoring, and maritime law enforcement.

      (ii) With a top speed of 22 knots, dynamic positioning systems, and long-range operational capacity, the vessel is a multi-role platform critical to India’s marine security and environmental preservation framework.

(iii) The launch ceremony was attended by Director General of Indian Coast Guard, Rakesh Pal, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and Goa Shipyard. The vessel’s deployment marks a milestone in India’s marine safety infrastructure, aligning with international pollution control standards under the MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships).