Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has signed its first newbuild contract for six IMO Type II chemical tankers, each of 18,000 DWT, marking a major milestone in India’s commercial shipbuilding sector. The vessels will be constructed at SDHI’s revitalized shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat.

Valued at USD 227 million, the contract from leading European shipowner Rederiet Stenersen AS represents one of the largest single commercial shipbuilding orders awarded to an Indian shipyard and the first and largest chemical tanker order of its kind in the country. The agreement also includes an option for six additional sister vessels.

The first tanker is scheduled for delivery within 33 months, with subsequent deliveries at regular intervals. Each vessel will measure approximately 150 metres in length with a beam of around 23 metres. The tankers will be designed by Marinform AS and StoGda Ship Design & Engineering, classed by DNV, and built to Ice Class 1A standards. They will feature advanced dual-fuel LNG-ready hybrid propulsion systems with high levels of automation.

Commenting on the development, Vivek Merchant, Director, SDHI, said the order marks a historic milestone in the shipyard’s transformation into a world-class commercial shipbuilding hub and reflects growing global confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities.

This is the first newbuild order at India’s largest shipyard following its revitalization under the new management of Swan Corp Limited, SDHI’s parent company.

John Stenersen, Director – Ship Management, Rederiet Stenersen AS, said the decision followed a comprehensive technical and commercial evaluation and reflects confidence in SDHI’s infrastructure, engineering strength, and ability to deliver specialized vessels meeting global standards while remaining cost-competitive.

The contract follows the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between SDHI and Rederiet Stenersen AS in November 2025.