India’s commercial shipbuilding industry is witnessing unprecedented momentum as growing demand for merchant vessels, offshore support ships, coastal transport, and green shipping solutions drives a surge in new orders. While defence shipbuilding continues to dominate the country’s maritime sector, several Indian shipyards have established strong commercial order pipelines, positioning themselves as competitive players in both domestic and international markets.
The expansion of coastal shipping, inland waterways, offshore energy projects, port modernisation, and the global transition toward environmentally friendly vessels has opened significant opportunities for Indian shipbuilders. A number of shipyards have secured high-value export contracts, reflecting increasing international confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities.
Cochin Shipyard Leads Commercial Shipbuilding
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) currently holds the country’s strongest commercial shipbuilding order book. The state-owned shipyard secured a landmark contract from French shipping major CMA CGM to construct six LNG-powered dual-fuel feeder container vessels of approximately 1,700 TEU capacity. Valued at an estimated US$300–360 million, the contract marks the first time a global container shipping line has entrusted an Indian yard with building container vessels. Deliveries are scheduled between 2029 and 2031.
CSL has also significantly strengthened its export portfolio through its subsidiary, Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL). The subsidiary received an order from Norway-based Wilson ASA for six 3,800 DWT diesel-electric cargo vessels under the Wilson Eco series, followed by a repeat order for eight larger 6,300 DWT vessels.
Additionally, CSL has secured international contracts to build electric harbour tugs for global towage operator Svitzer and hybrid Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) for the European offshore wind sector, reinforcing its leadership in green shipbuilding technologies.
Swan Defence Emerges as a Major Export Builder
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has rapidly emerged as one of India’s most promising commercial shipbuilders. Within a year of commencing operations, the company secured two major export contracts widely regarded as India’s first orders for chemical tankers and ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers.
The shipyard won a contract from Norway-based Rederiet Stenersen AS to construct six firm and six optional 18,000 DWT IMO Type II chemical tankers. It also secured an order for four 92,500 DWT ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers, placing India in the fast-growing market for next-generation green merchant vessels.
Together with ongoing defence and export projects, SDHI has built an estimated order book of around US$500 million. The company is also completing five offshore support vessels inherited from previous management and is positioning itself as a major export-oriented builder with one of India’s largest dry docks.
Chowgule Strengthens Export Presence
Goa-based Chowgule Shipyards continues to strengthen its position in export-oriented commercial shipbuilding with a diversified portfolio of advanced merchant vessels.
The company is constructing 12 hybrid ice-class 5,350 DWT general cargo vessels for Finland’s AtoB@C Shipping, a subsidiary of ESL Shipping. Designed for low-emission operations in the Baltic Sea, these vessels represent some of the most technologically advanced short-sea cargo ships currently under construction in India.
The shipyard has also secured an order from the Netherlands-based Vertom Group to build four 10,700 DWT geared multipurpose vessels, with deliveries planned during 2027 and 2028.
In addition, Chowgule is building eight 8,500 DWT diesel-electric short-sea cargo vessels for a European consortium comprising Boomsma Shipping, Leonhardt & Blumberg, and JR Shipping, making it one of India’s leading exporters of commercial merchant vessels.
GRSE Expands Commercial Exports
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), traditionally known for defence shipbuilding, has successfully expanded its commercial export business.
The Kolkata-based public sector shipyard secured a contract from Germany’s Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei GmbH & Co. KG to construct eight 7,500 DWT multi-purpose cargo vessels capable of carrying containers, bulk cargo and project cargo.
The project ranks among the largest commercial export orders awarded to an Indian public sector shipyard and highlights GRSE’s growing capabilities in the global merchant shipbuilding market.
Shoft Shipyard Supports Coastal Shipping
Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, based in Gujarat, continues to play a significant role in India’s coastal and inland water transport sector.
The company specialises in constructing passenger ferries, Ro-Pax vessels, cargo barges, oil barges, tugboats and inland cargo vessels for government agencies as well as private operators. Although its projects are smaller in scale, the shipyard contributes substantially to the development of India’s regional maritime transport infrastructure.
L&T Positioned for Future Commercial Growth
L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli facility remains one of India’s most advanced shipbuilding complexes. While the yard is presently focused on defence, offshore engineering and ship repair activities, it continues to undertake commercial assignments involving vessel repairs, conversions, offshore support structures and specialised engineering projects.
Although it does not currently have a large publicly disclosed merchant vessel order book, industry observers believe its world-class infrastructure positions it well to capture future opportunities as India’s commercial shipbuilding sector continues to expand.
Growing Global Confidence
The strong order pipelines across India’s leading shipyards reflect the country’s increasing competitiveness in commercial shipbuilding. With rising global demand for environmentally sustainable vessels and India’s policy focus on strengthening the maritime sector, domestic shipbuilders are steadily emerging as credible alternatives to established international yards, particularly in specialised cargo vessels, hybrid ships and green propulsion technologies.
