Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has achieved a significant milestone in India’s maritime sector by securing a Category 4 order from Energy ONE Limited for the construction of four 92,500 deadweight ton (DWT) dual-fuel ammonia bulk carriers. This marks the first time such vessels will be built in India, positioning the country at the forefront of next-generation, low-emission shipbuilding.
The project represents a major advancement in both technological capability and scale for the domestic shipbuilding industry. These vessels will be among the largest commercial ships ever constructed in an Indian shipyard, reinforcing SDHI’s growing ability to execute complex and globally competitive shipbuilding programs.
Each vessel will measure 229.5 meters in length with a beam of 37 meters and will feature ammonia-based dual-fuel propulsion systems—an emerging solution in the global transition toward cleaner marine fuels. The ships will be designed by South Korea-based KMS-EMEC and classified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), ensuring adherence to international safety and performance standards.
Commenting on the development, Vivek Merchant, Director at SDHI, stated that the order reflects increasing global confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities and the infrastructure developed at the company’s Pipavav facility. He emphasized that ammonia as a marine fuel is still in its early stages and expressed pride in contributing to a future-oriented shift in the shipping industry.
Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for October 2029, with subsequent vessels to be delivered at four-month intervals. Energy ONE Limited serves as General Partner for New Energy One (NEO), a Jersey-based investment fund focused on green maritime assets. With a capital investment plan of USD 2 billion in zero-emission ships, NEO aims to support industrial players in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The fund has also partnered with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited to co-invest in sustainable shipping initiatives.
SDHI, formerly Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited, operates India’s largest dry dock and boasts a fabrication capacity of 164,000 tons annually. Strategically located on India’s west coast, the company continues to strengthen its position as a key enabler of the nation’s maritime ambitions through innovation, sustainability, and advanced engineering capabilities.
