In a major boost to India’s green shipbuilding ambitions, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has secured a Category 4 order from Energy ONE Limited to construct four 92,500 deadweight tonne (DWT) dual-fuel ammonia bulk carriers.
The project marks a significant milestone for the domestic maritime industry, as these will be the first ammonia dual-fuel vessels to be built in India. They will also rank among the largest commercial ships ever constructed at an Indian shipyard, highlighting a step change in both scale and technological sophistication.
The vessels, each measuring 229.5 metres in length with a beam of 37 metres, will feature ammonia-fuelled propulsion systems—positioning them at the forefront of the global transition toward low-emission shipping. The ships have been designed by South Korea-based KMS EMEC and will be classed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), one of the world’s leading classification societies.
Commenting on the development, Vivek Merchant, Director at SDHI, said the order reflects growing global confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities, particularly at the company’s Pipavav facility. He noted that ammonia as a marine fuel is still in its early stages, adding that the company is proud to contribute to building vessels aligned with the industry’s future direction.
The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in October 2029, with the remaining ships to be delivered at four-month intervals thereafter.
Energy ONE Limited is the general partner of New Energy One (NEO), an investment fund registered in Jersey, Channel Islands, focused on financing green maritime assets. With a planned capital deployment of $2 billion in zero-emission ships, NEO aims to support industrial players in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The fund has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited to co-invest in green shipping projects under the Maritime Development Fund.