The complex Sagar Nidhi, whose aft section was built at the Italian group’s Riva Trigoso Shipyard in Genoa, is 104m long and 18m wide, drawing 4.8m and with a top speed of 13.5 knots. The vessel carries a crew of 39 and 32 scientists.

Fincantieri said the vessel would provide Indian operators with 'a cutting edge reference point for the study of the marine environment' because it was capable of operation in all theatres, including tropical and polar environments.

Sagar Nidhi is equipped with the latest technology for scientific studies and will carry out oceanographic and hydrographic research, including water, ice and seabed core sampling. It will also manage remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

The ship has been built to international environment and safety standards to comply with India’s IRS and Norway’s Det Norske Veritas classification societies.

A valuable additional feature is an advanced capability to contain vibration and noise, achieved by drawing on experience gained by the yard in submarine construction.

The completion of Sagar Nidhi followed two contracts signed in 2004 with India’s Cochin shipyard, covering the design and integration of a new engine for an aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy. To better support its operations and strengthen its commercial relations in India, Fincantieri has now opened a permanent office in New Delhi.

By Tom Todd