Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wheel & Time Shipping Transport Logistics to launch a Fabrication, Assembly, Storage, and Transportation (F.A.S.T.) logistics ecosystem at its Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat. The facility is intended to support high-value, heavy engineering projects by integrating manufacturing and logistics within a single site.
The F.A.S.T. model combines SDHI’s fabrication infrastructure with Wheel & Time’s logistics capabilities to provide an end-to-end solution for transporting heavy and oversized cargo. The model targets sectors such as marine infrastructure, oil and gas, petrochemicals, offshore engineering, port crane manufacturing, and wind farm development. According to SDHI, the model is designed to reduce handoffs, shorten project timelines, and minimize risks.
SDHI’s shipyard covers 600 acres and includes 1.2 kilometres of developed waterfront. It houses India’s largest dry dock and offers a fabrication capacity of 10,000 tonnes per month. The facility includes advanced CNC and robotic systems for steel cutting, hydraulic presses with up to 1,600 tonnes capacity, and equipment for handling and lifting large and heavy structures. All manufacturing and shipping phases can be managed on-site, which eliminates the need for inland transport and multiple vendors.
As part of the partnership, Wheel & Time will provide heavy-lift logistics equipment, including Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs), hydraulic trailers, and marine transport vessels, to support the global movement of oversized cargo.
Vivek Merchant, Director at SDHI, said, “Newbuilds, ship repairs, and heavy fabrication are central to SDHI’s growth plans. With strong capabilities in shipbuilding and repairs, this partnership with Wheel & Time Shipping Transport Logistics enhances our heavy engineering operations. Together, we can offer customers a more integrated, end-to-end solution. The F.A.S.T. logistics ecosystem allows EPC contractors and heavy industry players to concentrate on innovation and last-mile delivery, while we manage the complexities from fabrication to transportation.”
Gautamraj Sharma, Managing Director at Wheel & Time, said, “We are elated to partner with SDHI. We believe our collaboration with them brings together the best of deep fabrication infrastructure and robust logistics know-how. The F.A.S.T. logistics ecosystem will enable clients to de-risk projects and improve certainty across timelines, execution, and delivery.”
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), formerly Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited (RNAVAL), is engaged in shipbuilding and heavy fabrication. The company operates a shipyard on India’s west coast, equipped with a 662m x 65m dry dock and an annual fabrication capacity of 144,000 tonnes. SDHI serves sectors within the maritime and heavy engineering industries.
Wheel & Time Shipping Transport Logistics provides logistics solutions for heavy and oversized project cargo. The company’s services cover the full logistics cycle, including planning, transport feasibility, shipping, inland and coastal movement, customs clearance, and port handling.