Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd has secured a major export order valued between ₹251 crore and ₹750 crore from Denmark-based towage operator Svitzer A/S, Economic Times reported.

The contract involves the construction of four advanced TRAnsverse 3200 tugs, with deliveries scheduled to commence in early 2028.

The order was finalised after a competitive evaluation of leading global shipyards. The vessels will be built to Bureau Veritas class standards at SDHI’s Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat, which is one of India’s largest shipbuilding facilities. This marks SDHI’s fourth consecutive export contract, underscoring its growing reputation in the international maritime sector.

The TRAnsverse 3200 tug design was co-developed by naval architects Robert Allan Ltd and Svitzer. It is tailored for complex harbour towage and escort operations.

The design integrates a hydrodynamic hull with omni-directional propulsion, delivering an 80-tonne bollard pull. This capability enables the tugs to guide large vessels safely through severe weather conditions and restricted port channels.

According to SDHI, the TRAnsverse 3200 tugs are up to 15% more fuel-efficient compared to conventional tug designs. They will be biofuel-ready, compliant with IMO Tier III emissions standards, and equipped to meet FiFi1 firefighting class requirements. These features highlight the vessels’ sustainability credentials and operational versatility.

Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena (Retd), CEO of SDHI, described the contract as a notable achievement, emphasising that constructing one of the world’s most sophisticated towage vessels demonstrates the strength of SDHI’s engineering capabilities. He added that winning a fourth consecutive export order reflects the confidence of global leaders in SDHI’s ability to deliver high-specification vessels to international standards.

Svitzer CEO Kasper Friis Nilaus highlighted that the TRAnsverse design offers significant benefits in operational flexibility, port productivity, sustainability, and safety. He also noted that the contract reflects Svitzer’s continued investment in the Indian maritime sector and its support for the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The vessels will be constructed at SDHI’s Pipavav yard, which is strategically located next to the port where Svitzer operates a harbour towage business.

The facility boasts India’s largest dry dock, measuring 662 metres by 65 metres, and a fabrication capacity of 164,000 tonnes annually. This infrastructure enables SDHI to undertake large-scale, complex shipbuilding projects.

Copenhagen-headquartered Svitzer operates a global fleet of more than 500 vessels. The new tugs form part of its broader fleet renewal program, aimed at deploying next-generation, high-efficiency vessels across its port and terminal operations worldwide. This collaboration further strengthens the maritime partnership between India and Denmark.

SDHI, formerly known as Reliance Naval and Engineering Ltd, has steadily repositioned itself as a key player in India’s shipbuilding industry. The latest contract reinforces its role in advancing indigenous shipbuilding capabilities while contributing to India’s growing presence in the global maritime market.

Agencies