SDHI wins Svitzer order to build four TRAnsverse 3200 tugs

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) has secured a contract from Denmark-based towage operator Svitzer A/S to build four advanced TRAnsverse 3200 tugs. The vessels will be constructed at SDHI's shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2028.

The contract was awarded after an extensive competitive evaluation of leading global shipyards. The high-specification vessels will be built to Bureau Veritas class. The patented TRAnsverse 3200 design, co-developed by naval architects Robert Allan and Svitzer, is intended for complex harbour towage and escort operations. The tugs feature a hydrodynamic hull design and omni-directional propulsion, enabling them to guide large ships through severe weather and restricted port channels. They deliver an 80-tonne bollard pull and are up to 15% more fuel efficient than conventional tug designs.

Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena IN (retd.), CEO, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI), said the order marks a significant achievement for the company in building one of the world's most sophisticated towage vessels. He added that winning its fourth consecutive export contract reflects growing global confidence in SDHI's engineering capabilities and its ability to deliver high-specification vessels to international standards.

Kasper Friis Nilaus, CEO, Svitzer, said the TRAnsverse tug design improves port productivity, sustainability and safety while helping customers overcome operational constraints. He added that the partnership with SDHI would support customers and maritime supply chains globally, while also reflecting Svitzer's continued investment in India's maritime sector and its commitment to Maritime India Vision 2030, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The TRAnsverse 3200 tugs will be biofuel-ready, compliant with IMO Tier III emissions standards and FiFi1 firefighting class ready, supporting lower environmental impact and enhanced fire-response capability in port and terminal operations.

Copenhagen-headquartered Svitzer operates a fleet of more than 500 vessels worldwide. The order forms part of the company's long-term fleet renewal programme to deploy next-generation, high-efficiency vessels for port and terminal operations globally.