SDHI wins order for India’s first ammonia dual-fuel ships
The agreement covers the construction of four vessels, each with a capacity of 92,500 deadweight tonnes.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited has secured an order from Energy ONE Limited to construct four bulk carriers with ammonia dual-fuel capability, marking the first such project to be undertaken in India.
The agreement, classified as a Category 4 order, covers the construction of four vessels, each with a capacity of 92,500 deadweight tonnes. The development signals a shift in domestic shipbuilding as Indian yards move towards building vessels powered by alternative fuels.
According to the company, these will be the first ammonia dual-fuel ships built in the country. The vessels are also among the largest commercial ships to be constructed at an Indian shipyard, reflecting a change in both scale and technical scope within the sector.
Each vessel will measure 229.5 metres in length and 37 metres in beam. The ships will be equipped with ammonia-fuelled propulsion systems. The vessels will be designed by KMS-EMEC, South Korea, and classed by Det Norske Veritas.
Vivek Merchant, Director, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited, said, “Winning this project is an important step forward for us. It reflects the confidence global stakeholders are placing in Indian shipbuilding and in the capabilities we have developed at Pipavav. Ammonia as a marine fuel is still at an early stage, and we are proud to be part of that transition – building vessels that are not just relevant for today but aligned with where the industry is heading.”
The first vessel under the contract is expected to be delivered in October 2029. The remaining ships will follow at intervals of four months.
Energy ONE Limited acts as a General Partner for New Energy One, an investment fund registered in the Jersey Channel Islands. The fund focuses on investment in new green shipping assets and has outlined a capital programme of USD 2 billion for zero-emission vessels.
New Energy One has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Sagarmala Finance Corp Ltd for participation in the Maritime Development Fund to co-invest in green shipping projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in industrial supply chains.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited, formerly Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited, operates a shipyard on the west coast of India. The facility includes a dry dock measuring 662 metres by 65 metres and has a fabrication capacity of 164,000 tonnes per year, supporting large-scale shipbuilding and heavy engineering projects.
