India’s commercial shipbuilding sector has achieved a major breakthrough with the first newbuild order for chemical tankers awarded to an Indian shipyard, signaling growing global confidence in the nation’s marine manufacturing capabilities.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), based at the Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat, confirmed it has signed a $227 million contract with Norway-based shipowner Rederiet Stenersen AS to build six IMO Type II chemical tankers. This deal is one of the largest commercial shipbuilding orders ever secured by an Indian private yard and marks the country’s first chemical tanker newbuild export contract.
Under the contract, all six tankers will be constructed at SDHI’s revitalised Pipavav facility – India’s largest dry dock with a fabrication capacity of about 164,000 tonnes per year.
Each tanker is designed for 18,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) and will measure about 150 m in length and roughly 23 m in beam. The vessels will be tailored for IMO Type II chemical tanker operations in international trade.
These tankers are being built to Ice Class 1A standards, enabling operations in colder environments with ice strengthening. They will feature dual-fuel, LNG-ready hybrid propulsion systems that support multiple modes of operation and high levels of automation.
The first of the new fleet is currently scheduled for delivery within 33 months from the contract signing, with subsequent vessels expected to follow at regular intervals. Additionally, the contract includes an option for six more sister ships, offering potential future expansion of the program.
The order marks a significant milestone for India’s commercial shipbuilding ambitions, particularly as the first new commercial vessel contract won by a domestic shipyard in this specialised segment. Following its acquisition and revival of the Pipavav yard after bankruptcy, SDHI aims to position itself as a global competitor in complex vessel construction such as tankers, bulk carriers, and specialised ships.
Industry observers see the Stenersen contract as a vote of confidence in India’s infrastructure, engineering capabilities, and quality standards.
