The four ammonia dual‑fuel ships will not only be the first of their kind in India but also among the largest commercial vessels ever constructed at a domestic shipyard.
In a boost to India’s aspirations to emerge as a major player in green shipbuilding, integrated shipbuilding company Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) has secured a Category 4 order from Energy ONE Ltd for the construction of four 92,500 deadweight tonnage (DWT) dual‑fuel ammonia bulk carriers.
These will not only be the first ammonia dual‑fuel ships built in India but also among the largest commercial vessels ever constructed at a domestic shipyard, representing a significant leap in both technological capability and scale for the domestic shipbuilding industry.
This contract reinforces SDHI’s growing ability to execute complex, next‑generation shipbuilding programmes aligned with the global transition toward lower‑emission shipping.
Terming the development another step forward, Vivek Merchant, Director, SDHI, said, “It reflects the confidence global stakeholders are placing in Indian shipbuilding, and in the capabilities we have developed at Pipavav. Ammonia as a marine fuel is still at an early stage, and we are proud to be part of that transition, building vessels that are not just relevant for today but aligned with where the industry is heading.”
Measuring 229.5 metres in length with a beam of 37 metres, each of the dual‑fuel vessels will be equipped with an ammonia‑fuelled propulsion system. The vessels will be designed by KMS‑EMEC, South Korea, and classed by global maritime certifier Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
The first vessel is expected to be delivered in October 2029, with subsequent deliveries scheduled at four‑month intervals.
Energy ONE Ltd is a general partner for New Energy One (NEO), an investment fund registered in the Jersey Channel Islands. NEO is committed to investing in building green assets. With a total capital investment programme of $2 billion in zero‑emission ships, NEO is enabling industrial end users and producers of commodities to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. NEO has executed an MoU with India’s Sagarmala Finance Corp. Ltd (SMFCL) for the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) to co‑invest in green shipping projects.