Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHD), India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, has entered into an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with European offshore oil and gas vessel leader Royal IHC. The agreement, signed with Alar Infrastructure, the Indian representative of Royal IHC, aims to combine expertise, infrastructure, and geographical strengths to design, build, and retrofit offshore oil and gas vessels, as well as other specialised ships.

The partnership will explore opportunities to construct Offshore Construction Vessels, Pipe Laying Vessels, and Multi-Purpose Offshore Support Vessels at SDHD’s Pipavav Port shipyard in Gujarat. This collaboration supports the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by boosting indigenous shipbuilding and enhancing cost competitiveness.

By bringing together Royal IHC’s global leadership in offshore vessel design, engineering, equipment, and project management with SDHD’s advanced infrastructure, skilled workforce, and resources, the partnership aims to strengthen India’s capabilities and position the country as a competitive player in the global shipbuilding industry.

Commenting on the agreement, Vivek Merchant, Director, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries, said: “We are delighted to partner with Royal IHC at a time when demand for offshore vessels serving both oil and gas and renewable energy markets is growing. This collaboration enables us to address these opportunities with world-class capabilities and competitive solutions.”

Derk te Bokkel, CEO of Royal IHC, added: “This agreement marks a major step in strengthening our presence in Asia by partnering with India’s largest shipyard. Together with SDHD’s infrastructure and capabilities, we can deliver reliable and advanced offshore solutions to meet the evolving needs of the global energy market.”

Strategically located on India’s west coast, SDHD’s shipyard features the country’s largest dry dock (662m x 65m) and a fabrication capacity of 144,000 tonnes per year, providing a significant advantage in fulfilling India’s maritime and industrial ambitions.