Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited has signed a Letter of Intent with Norwegian ship owner Rederiet Stenersen AS for the construction of six IMO Type II chemical tankers, each of 18,000 deadweight tonnes, in a deal valued at approximately USD 220 million with an option for a further six vessels. The vessels are to be built at SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat and are designed for operations in Northern Europe, including ice-rated trading routes.
The ships will be designed by Marinform AS of Norway and classed by DNV, and each will be built to Ice Class 1A standards. The LoI specifies hybrid propulsion with advanced automation for improved manoeuvrability and lower emissions, and the design allows conversion to methanol or liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel alongside provisions to upgrade battery capacity up to 5,000-kWh. “This partnership marks a defining moment for SDHI and for Indian shipbuilding — our first major export of advanced chemical tankers to Norway,” said Vivek Merchant, Director of Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited.
Delivery timelines and detailed commercial terms will be finalised under a subsequent shipbuilding contract, and that the hybrid and fuel-conversion features are intended to enhance compliance with evolving environmental and operational standards in Northern Europe. Rederiet Stenersen AS, founded in 1974, operates a fleet of 19 chemical and product tankers in the 16,000 to 19,000 DWT range and is recognised for strict environmental compliance in high-latitude trades.
The vessels’ design flexibility, including methanol and LNG conversion capability and significant battery upgrade potential, aligns with an industry trend towards dual-fuel readiness and increased onboard electrical energy storage to meet stricter emissions regimes and fuel-switching requirements. The option for an additional six ships implies potential follow-on work valued at a comparable scale, subject to contract finalisation.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), formerly Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited, operates what the company describes as India’s largest dry dock measuring 662 metres by 65 metres and reports a fabrication capacity of 164,000 tonnes per annum. The company’s Pipavav yard undertakes shipbuilding and heavy fabrication for commercial and defence sectors.
