Indian shipbuilder Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) has signed a letter of intent with Norwegian shipowner Rederiet Stenersen for the construction of 6+6 IMO II-compliant chemical tankers with a deadweight tonnage of 18,000 tons.
The agreement is worth approximately US$220 million, which means that the cost of the first batch of 6 tankers is approximately US$36.67 million each.
The series of chemical tankers will be built by SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat, designed by the Norwegian ship design firm Marinform, and classed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
The new vessels will be built to Ice Class 1A standards and equipped with automated hybrid propulsion systems to enhance maneuverability and operational flexibility. They will also feature “future adaptability,” allowing for conversion to methanol or liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel systems. The design further incorporates space for battery capacity upgrades to 5,000 kWh.
Rederiet Stenersen currently owns and operates a fleet of 20 chemical/product tankers with deadweights ranging from 13,000 to 18,500 tons. All vessels are primarily deployed on Nordic routes and equipped to the highest standards to meet customer requirements and withstand the demanding operational conditions of the Nordic shipping lanes.
SDHI Director Vivek Merchant stated that this will mark the company’s first large-scale export of chemical tankers to Norway.
In related news, Vivek Merchant recently revealed that Pipavav Shipyard has completed a $250 million renovation and upgrade project, now possessing the capability to construct large commercial vessels. The shipyard currently accounts for nearly 30% of India’s total shipbuilding capacity.
Data shows that Pipavav Shipyard was established in 1997. It boasts India’s largest dry dock (662 meters long and 65 meters wide) and covers an area of 2 million square meters, capable of constructing VLCCs and offshore equipment. The shipyard features a dedicated offshore engineering dock, enabling it to undertake the manufacturing, installation, and loading of heavy engineering modules such as large platforms and offshore structures.
In the shipbuilding business sector, SDHI has recently announced multiple collaborations, including exploring cooperation with South Korea’s shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries in areas such as new ship design, procurement, and production management (EPM) as well as offshore engineering projects; and partnering with Dutch ship design company Royal IHC on the design, construction, and conversion of offshore construction vessels, pipe-laying vessels, and multi-purpose support vessels.