Fig. 1. FV Sagar Harita	Fig.2. hydraulic winch on board F.V. Sagar Harita

Modern mechanized fishing in India is highly energy-intensive, consuming vast amount of fossil fuels and contributing significantly to carbon emissions. To address these challenges, ICAR-CIFT launched the project Green Fishing Systems for Tropical Seas (GFSTS), funded by the ICAR-NASF, with the goal of developing a new generation of energy-efficient fishing vessels. A nationwide survey of fishing harbours and boatyards provided data on existing vessel designs, which were analyzed for stability and hull geometry to develop the new design. The development of a new generation energy-efficient combination fishing vessel under the ICAR-CIFT initiative represents a significant advancement in sustainable fisheries. Using parent ship designs, a 19.75 m hull form was developed with Autoship and Maxsurf software, and its resistance characteristics were validated through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Model testing and stability analysis at IIT Madras, following ITTC recommendations, enabled optimization of the design. Incorporating refrigerated storage systems improved fish quality, enhanced market value, and ensured better products for consumers. Furthermore, adherence to standardized construction practices extended vessel lifespan and reduced maintenance requirements. The resulting vessel F.V. Sagar Harita constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited under the classification of the Indian Register of Shipping, equipped for deep sea long lining and gillnetting, serves as a standard commercial prototype for replication in the tropical waters aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of India’s fishing sector while improving operational efficiency. Field trials demonstrated 5% fuel savings compared to similar vessels, validating the efficiency of the design. Following these successes, ICAR-CIFT was entrusted with preparing technical specifications for 22–23 m vessels under the national Blue Revolution and PMMSY schemes of the Govt. of India.

Novel features and advantages of the 19.75 m F.V Sagar Harita

Hon. DG Dr.Trilochan Mohapatra and DDG, Dr.J. K Jena of ICAR onboard F.V. Sagar Harita	Director of ICAR-CIFT and CMD Cochin Shipyard after signing of MoA for the design of Long liner cum Gillnetter.

ICAR–CIFT and Cochin Shipyard Limited developed and deployed 918 deep-sea longliner-cum-gillnetter vessels between 2017 and 2024 under the Blue Revolution and PMMSY schemes, with a total investment of ₹867 crore. This large-scale initiative significantly was the first major step in India’s deep-sea fishing sector, strengthening offshore fishing capacity, and reduced pressure on coastal fish stocks.