Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) has secured its inaugural contract for six IMO Type II chemical tankers, a landmark achievement for India’s commercial shipbuilding sector. Valued at $227 million, this order from European shipowner Rederiet Stenersen AS represents the first chemical tanker contract awarded to a domestic shipyard. The vessels, each with an 18,000 deadweight-tonne capacity, will be constructed at SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat, with an option for six additional units.
This contract is one of the largest in India’s shipbuilding history and the first newbuild secured after the shipyard’s recent management overhaul. The first tanker is set for delivery within 33 months, with subsequent vessels following at regular intervals. Each ship will be approximately 150 meters long and designed by Marinform AS and StoGda Ship Design & Engineering, with classification by DNV.
Vivek Merchant, SDHI’s Director, emphasized the significance of this agreement, highlighting it as a testament to India’s evolving shipbuilding ecosystem and the effectiveness of supportive maritime policies. John Stenersen, Director of Ship Management at Rederiet Stenersen, noted their confidence in SDHI’s capabilities and infrastructure, marking this contract as a strategic partnership for future-ready vessels.
