Samsung Heavy Industries, the South Korean shipbuilder, on Monday announced its entry into India’s shipbuilding sector through a partnership with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) in Gujarat. The move strengthens its participation in India’s state-led push to expand domestic shipbuilding.

Under the agreement, the two companies will explore collaboration across a broad range of maritime projects, including engineering, procurement and management in shipbuilding. SDHI, India’s largest shipyard, accounts for 30 per cent of the country’s shipbuilding capacity and operates its largest dry dock, capable of constructing very large crude carriers and other facilities.

Samsung Heavy plans to gradually expand local operations, using SDHI’s shipyard as a base to tap India’s growing maritime logistics sector. According to Grand View Research, the Indian shipping industry is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.4 per cent between 2025 and 2030.

“This collaboration blends technological expertise with strong market presence, making it a model partnership that delivers mutual benefits,” said Namgung Geum-sung, Vice President of Samsung Heavy Industries. “Samsung Heavy Industries will continue to seize new opportunities to drive growth in the future.”

India aims to become one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047 and secure 1,000 commercial vessels within the next decade. The government has engaged Korean shipbuilders to produce ships locally and is introducing incentives. In its 2025 budget, it proposed a USD 3 billion Maritime Development Fund to support long-term financing for shipbuilding, repair and maritime infrastructure.