Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) announced the signing of its first newbuild contract for six IMO Type II chemical tankers, each with a capacity of 18,000 deadweight tons (DWT). The vessels will be constructed at SDHI’s revitalised shipyard in Gujarat, marking a major milestone in the shipyard’s renewed operations. Valued at $227 million, the order was placed by leading European shipowner Rederiet Stenersen AS. Notably, this is both SDHI’s first newbuild order and the largest chemical tanker contract ever awarded to an Indian shipyard, underscoring the growing global confidence in India’s commercial shipbuilding capabilities.
Option for Additional Vessels and Delivery Timeline
In addition to the firm order, the agreement includes an option for six additional sister vessels, providing further upside potential. The first tanker is scheduled for delivery within 33 months, with subsequent vessels to be delivered at regular intervals, ensuring a steady production pipeline for the yard.
Advanced Design and Future-Ready Propulsion
The vessels will be designed by Marinform AS and StoGda Ship Design and Engineering and will be classed by DNV. Importantly, the tankers will be built to Ice Class 1A standards, enabling operations in demanding and cold-water environments. Moreover, the ships will feature advanced dual-fuel, LNG-ready hybrid propulsion systems, offering multiple operating modes supported by high levels of automation. This configuration positions the vessels to meet evolving environmental regulations and efficiency requirements.
SDHI Highlights Global Endorsement of Indian Shipbuilding
Vivek Merchant, Director, SDHI, said the contract marks a historic turning point for the shipyard. He noted that the order from Rederiet Stenersen AS reflects strong international confidence in SDHI’s ability to deliver future-ready, high-quality commercial vessels. He further highlighted that the agreement represents not only a major achievement for SDHI but also a strong endorsement of India’s expanding commercial shipbuilding ecosystem.
Merchant also credited progressive maritime policies, including the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance scheme, for enabling Indian private shipyards to compete effectively with global peers. He thanked Rederiet Stenersen AS for placing its trust in SDHI as the two companies begin a long-term partnership.
First Newbuild After Shipyard Revitalisation
Importantly, the order marks the first newbuild contract at India’s largest shipyard following its revitalisation under the new management of Swan Corp Limited, the parent company of SDHI. Sharing the shipowner’s perspective, John Stenersen, Director – Ship Management, Rederiet Stenersen AS, said this is the company’s first newbuilding contract with an Indian shipyard, awarded after a detailed technical and commercial evaluation. As reported by msn.com, he added that the decision reflects strong confidence in SDHI’s infrastructure, engineering capabilities, and execution readiness, as well as its ability to deliver specialised vessels that meet Stenersen’s global standards while remaining cost-competitive.
