Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), formerly known as Reliance Naval and Engineering, has signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with European offshore oil & gas vessel leader Royal IHC.
The collaboration, signed along with Alar Infrastructure, aims to design, build, and retrofit offshore construction vessels, pipe-laying vessels, and multi-purpose offshore support vessels at SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat.
Strengthening Make in India
The partnership aligns with the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by boosting indigenous shipbuilding and enhancing cost competitiveness. It will combine Royal IHC’s expertise in design, engineering, and project management with SDHI’s advanced shipbuilding infrastructure, skilled workforce, and resources.
Vivek Merchant, Director of SDHI, said the tie-up comes at a time of rising demand for offshore vessels catering to both oil & gas and renewable energy markets. Royal IHC CEO Derk te Bokkel added that the agreement is a significant step in strengthening the Dutch group’s presence in Asia.
India’s largest shipyard advantage
Located on India’s west coast, SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard hosts the country’s largest dry dock (662m x 65m) and has a fabrication capacity of 144,000 tons per annum, providing a strategic edge in fulfilling maritime and industrial ambitions.
