SDHI secures India's first order for an ammonia dual-fuel bulk carrier

Mumbai: In a landmark development for India’s green shipbuilding ambitions, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has secured a Category 4 order (Rs 1501 to Rs 3000 crore)  from Energy ONE Limited for the construction of four 92,500 DWT dual-fuel ammonia bulk carriers - marking a first for the country.

These will be the first ammonia dual-fuel ships built in India and are also among the largest commercial vessels ever built at an Indian shipyard, representing a significant step forward in both technological capability and scale for the domestic shipbuilding industry.

This milestone underscores SDHI’s growing capability to execute complex, next-generation shipbuilding programs aligned with the global transition toward lower-emission shipping.

Measuring 229.5m in length with a beam of 37m, each of the dual-fuel vessels will be equipped with ammonia-fuelled propulsion system. The vessels will be designed by KMS-EMEC, South Korea and classed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) – one of the leading Class societies in the world.

In a statement, Vivek Merchant, Director, SDHI 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 is expected to be delivered in October 2029, with subsequent deliveries scheduled at four-month intervals.

Energy ONE Limited is a General Partner for New Energy One (NEO), an investment fund registered in Jersey Channel Islands.