Key Highlights
- Swan Defence and Heavy Industries secures Category 4 shipbuilding order from Energy ONE Limited.
- Contract includes construction of four 92,500 DWT ammonia dual fuel bulk carriers.
- Marks the first ammonia dual fuel ships to be built in India.
- Vessels to be designed by KMS EMEC South Korea and classified by DNV.
- First delivery expected in October 2029 with four month delivery intervals.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has secured a major shipbuilding contract from Energy ONE Limited for the construction of four 92,500 deadweight tonnage (DWT) ammonia dual fuel bulk carriers, marking a significant milestone for India’s green maritime sector.
The order, classified as a Category 4 contract, represents one of the largest commercial shipbuilding projects to be undertaken at an Indian shipyard. The development is also notable as these vessels will be the first ammonia dual fuel ships to be built in India, positioning the country at the forefront of sustainable shipping innovation.
The vessels will measure approximately 229.5 metres in length with a beam of 37 metres and will be equipped with ammonia fuelled propulsion systems. These ships are expected to play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in maritime operations, aligning with global decarbonisation targets.
The design for the vessels will be provided by KMS EMEC, South Korea, while classification will be handled by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a globally recognised classification society. This collaboration underscores the integration of international expertise in delivering advanced shipbuilding capabilities in India.
A senior executive at Swan Defence and Heavy Industries stated that the project reflects growing global confidence in India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and highlights the company’s ability to execute complex, next generation shipbuilding programmes. The official added that ammonia as a marine fuel remains at a developing stage, and the project places the company among early contributors to this transition.
The first vessel under the contract is expected to be delivered by October 2029, with subsequent deliveries planned at four month intervals. The execution timeline indicates a structured build programme aligned with large scale commercial shipbuilding standards.