India’s leading shipbuilders have submitted bids to construct Medium Range (MR) product tankers for state-run oil marketing companies, marking a significant push to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity and reduce reliance on foreign yards.
Among the key contenders are Cochin Shipyard, Larsen & Toubro, and a consortium comprising Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL). Industry sources indicate that the proposed MR tankers will primarily serve coastal and international petroleum product transportation needs of public sector oil companies.
The tender is seen as part of a broader government effort to revitalise India’s shipbuilding ecosystem under the “Make in India” initiative. Building MR tankers domestically could enhance technological capabilities, generate employment, and improve self-reliance in maritime infrastructure.
MR tankers, typically ranging between 45,000 to 55,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT), play a crucial role in transporting refined petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. Securing these contracts would provide a significant order boost to domestic yards, many of which are seeking to expand their commercial shipbuilding portfolios alongside defence projects.
Officials expect the evaluation process to focus on technical capability, delivery timelines, cost competitiveness, and localisation commitments. If awarded, the contracts could signal a new phase of collaboration between India’s oil PSUs and domestic shipyards, strengthening the country’s maritime manufacturing ambitions.
