Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, has signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with European offshore oil & gas vessel major Royal IHC, marking a significant milestone for India’s shipbuilding sector. The signing, facilitated by Alar Infrastructure, the Indian representative of Royal IHC, aims to bring world-class offshore vessel expertise to India.
Under the collaboration, SDHI and Royal IHC will jointly design, build, and retrofit advanced offshore vessels, including Offshore Construction Vessels, Pipe Laying Vessels, and Multi-Purpose Offshore Support Vessels, at SDHI’s state-of-the-art shipyard at Pipavav Port, Gujarat.
The partnership aligns with the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by strengthening indigenous shipbuilding, reducing dependence on imports, and enhancing cost competitiveness. Leveraging Royal IHC’s global leadership in vessel design, engineering, and project management alongside SDHI’s unmatched infrastructure and fabrication capabilities, the collaboration is expected to position India as a competitive player in the global offshore shipbuilding industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Vivek Merchant, Director, SDHI, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Royal IHC at a time when the industry is witnessing growing demand for offshore vessels capable of serving both oil & gas and renewable energy markets. This collaboration positions us to address these emerging opportunities with world-class capabilities and competitive solutions.”
Derk te Bokkel, CEO, Royal IHC, added:
“This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening our presence in Asia by partnering with India’s largest shipyard. Together with SDHI’s infrastructure and capabilities, we can deliver reliable and advanced offshore solutions to meet the evolving needs of the global energy market.”
Strategically located on India’s west coast, SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard boasts the country’s largest dry dock (662m x 65m) and a fabrication capacity of 144,000 tons per annum. These facilities, combined with Royal IHC’s global expertise, are set to provide integrated, cost-competitive solutions for offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy markets.
The MoU signals a major leap forward for India’s maritime sector, reinforcing its ambition to emerge as a global hub for advanced shipbuilding and offshore solutions.
