ICG Inducts Its First Indigenously Designed Pollution Control Vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’
India’s Coast Guard inducts ‘Samudra Pratap’, its first indigenous pollution control vessel, boosting maritime pollution response and self-reliance in defence.
Introduction: A New Sentinel for India’s Seas
On December 23, as the sun rose over India’s western coastline, a quiet but historic transformation took place in the nation’s maritime security landscape. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) formally inducted ‘Samudra Pratap’, its first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV)—a ship that represents far more than steel, sensors, and seaworthiness.
At a time when maritime pollution incidents are rising across global shipping lanes, and environmental security is increasingly viewed as national security, Samudra Pratap emerges as India’s most powerful answer yet. The vessel signals a decisive shift toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing, while significantly strengthening India’s ability to protect its vast and ecologically sensitive maritime domain.
Context & Background: Why Pollution Control at Sea Matters
India oversees one of the world’s largest maritime jurisdictions, with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2.3 million square kilometres. These waters host dense commercial traffic, energy infrastructure, fishing livelihoods, and fragile ecosystems.
Marine pollution—whether from oil spills, chemical discharges, or maritime accidents—poses severe risks to coastal economies and national security. Traditionally, India relied on multi-role patrol vessels and limited specialised platforms to respond to such threats.
Recognising this gap, the Indian Coast Guard conceptualised a dedicated Pollution Control Vessel programme, aimed at creating platforms capable of prevention, detection, containment, and enforcement under international maritime pollution control conventions.
Samudra Pratap is the first tangible outcome of that vision—and the most advanced pollution-response ship ever inducted into the Coast Guard fleet.
Main Developments: Inside the Induction of ‘Samudra Pratap’
A Landmark Delivery from Goa Shipyard Limited
The vessel was formally delivered to the Coast Guard by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) during an induction ceremony, marking a major achievement for India’s public-sector shipbuilding ecosystem. Designed and constructed entirely in India, Samudra Pratap underscores the growing maturity of domestic naval engineering capabilities.
Largest Ship in the ICG Fleet
With a length of 114.5 metres, breadth of 16.5 metres, and a displacement of 4,170 tonnes, Samudra Pratap is now the largest ship ever inducted into the Indian Coast Guard. Its sheer scale allows it to operate for extended durations across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including far-off offshore installations and high-risk shipping corridors.
State-of-the-Art Technology and Firepower
While pollution response is its core mandate, the vessel is also equipped for multi-dimensional maritime operations. Its onboard systems include:
- 30mm CRN-91 naval gun
- Two 12.7mm stabilised remote-controlled guns with integrated fire control systems
- Indigenously developed Integrated Bridge System
- Integrated Platform Management System
- Automated Power Management System
- Shaft generator for enhanced efficiency
- Sea boat davit and PR boat with davit
- High-capacity external firefighting system
Together, these systems allow the vessel to seamlessly switch between pollution control, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and coastal defence roles.
Advanced Pollution Detection & Response Capabilities
What truly sets Samudra Pratap apart is its specialised pollution surveillance and forensic capability.
- An oil fingerprinting machine enables authorities to trace oil spills back to their source, strengthening legal enforcement.
- A gyro-stabilised standoff active chemical detector allows early detection of hazardous substances at sea.
- Advanced containment and response equipment ensures rapid action during oil or chemical spill emergencies.
With over 60 per cent indigenous content, the ship reflects India’s growing capacity to produce complex maritime systems domestically—reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and enhancing operational sovereignty.
Expert Insight & Public Sentiment
Maritime security analysts have widely welcomed the induction, describing it as a strategic leap in India’s non-traditional security preparedness.
Experts note that pollution response vessels are no longer niche assets but frontline tools in enforcing international maritime law, especially in busy shipping zones like the Indian Ocean.
Public reaction, particularly within naval and environmental policy circles, has highlighted the vessel’s dual value: strengthening environmental protection while reinforcing India’s maritime authority. The project also aligns closely with national initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, reinforcing confidence in indigenous defence manufacturing.
Impact & Implications: What This Means for India
Stronger Maritime Governance
With Samudra Pratap, the Indian Coast Guard gains a dedicated platform to enforce marine pollution regulations, conduct inspections, and deter violations—significantly improving compliance within India’s EEZ.
Enhanced Regional Role
As maritime pollution incidents increasingly carry transnational consequences, the vessel enhances India’s ability to respond not only domestically but also across the wider Indian Ocean Region, reinforcing its role as a net security provider.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The successful delivery of such a complex vessel strengthens India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and sets a precedent for future specialised platforms, including additional pollution control vessels and green maritime technologies.
Conclusion: A Ship That Redefines Maritime Responsibility
The induction of Samudra Pratap marks more than a fleet expansion—it represents a philosophical shift in maritime security, where environmental protection stands shoulder-to-shoulder with defence readiness.
As India’s largest Coast Guard vessel, and its first indigenously designed pollution control ship, Samudra Pratap embodies the convergence of technology, sustainability, and sovereignty. In an era where oceans are both economic lifelines and ecological frontiers, the vessel stands as a powerful reminder that protecting the seas is inseparable from protecting the nation.
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