India Enhances Maritime Safety With Commissioning Of ICGS Samudra Pratap

New Delhi, Jan 5 (KNN) Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap, India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel, at Goa on 5 January 2026. 

Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with over 60 per cent indigenous content, the vessel is the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) fleet to date and marks a significant milestone in India’s shipbuilding and maritime capability development under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

ICGS Samudra Pratap is designed to enhance the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities in pollution response, firefighting, maritime safety and environmental protection. 

In addition to its specialised pollution control role, the vessel integrates multiple capabilities on a single platform, enabling extended surveillance, coastal patrol and response missions across India’s maritime zones. 

The ship is equipped with advanced pollution detection and recovery systems, modern firefighting equipment, dedicated pollution response boats, and aviation facilities including a helicopter hangar.

Addressing the commissioning ceremony, the Raksha Mantri described the vessel as a reflection of India’s evolving defence industrial ecosystem and GSL’s modern manufacturing approach. 

He noted that efforts are underway to further increase indigenous content in naval platforms and emphasised the importance of marine environmental protection in the context of climate change, coastal livelihoods and the blue economy. 

He also highlighted the Coast Guard’s role in oil spill response, salvage operations, maritime law enforcement and search and rescue.

The Raksha Mantri stated that the commissioning aligns with India’s broader maritime vision, underscoring the country’s role in promoting peace, stability and environmental responsibility in the Indo-Pacific region. 

He emphasised the need for the ICG to evolve from a platform-centric force to one that is intelligence-driven and integration-centric, and called for the development of specialised capabilities in areas such as maritime law enforcement, environmental protection and maritime cyber security.

In a first for a frontline Coast Guard ship, ICGS Samudra Pratap will have two women officers as part of its crew. 

The Raksha Mantri noted this development as part of the Coast Guard’s progress towards a more inclusive and gender-neutral work environment, with women officers increasingly serving in operational and leadership roles.

The vessel has a displacement of 4,170 tonnes, a length of 114.5 metres and a maximum speed exceeding 22 knots, with an endurance of approximately 6,000 nautical miles. 

It is powered by two 7,500 kW diesel engines with indigenously developed controllable pitch propellers. Its onboard systems include dynamic positioning, integrated bridge and platform management systems, automated power management, and pollution control equipment such as skimmers, booms and a dedicated laboratory. 

The ship is also fitted with external firefighting systems and standard armament for maritime security tasks.

ICGS Samudra Pratap will be based at Kochi and operate under the Coast Guard Region (West). Senior officials, including the Goa Chief Minister, Defence Secretary, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard and representatives from GSL and central and state governments, were present at the commissioning ceremony.

(KNN Bureau)