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 DWT dual-fuel ammonia bulk carriers, marking a first for the country.
These vessels will be the first ammonia dual-fuel ships to be built in India and rank among the largest commercial ships ever constructed at an Indian shipyard. The development represents a significant leap in both technological capability and scale for the domestic shipbuilding sector, aligning with global efforts to transition toward low-emission maritime transport.
Each vessel, measuring 229.5 metres in length with a beam of 37 metres, will feature ammonia-fuelled propulsion systems. The ships are being designed by South Korea-based KMS-EMEC and will be classed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a globally recognised classification society.
Commenting on the milestone, Vivek Merchant, Director at SDHI, stated that the order reflects growing international confidence in Indian shipbuilding capabilities. He emphasized that ammonia as a marine fuel is still in its early stages, and this project positions India at the forefront of next-generation, sustainable shipping solutions. The first vessel is expected to be delivered by October 2029, with subsequent deliveries planned at four-month intervals.
Energy ONE Limited, a General Partner for the New Energy One (NEO) investment fund based in Jersey, is driving investments in green maritime assets. With a planned capital deployment of USD 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 initiatives.
