Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), India’s largest shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), a global leader in shipbuilding known for specialized and complex vessels. The agreement sets the stage for both companies to jointly explore commercial shipbuilding and heavy engineering projects in domestic and international markets, further cementing India’s position in the global maritime landscape.
Expanding shipbuilding collaboration
The MoU will enable the partners to collaborate on a wide portfolio of commercial vessels, including tankers, gas carriers, container ships, and other specialized ships that are in growing demand worldwide. Both SDHI and Samsung Heavy Industries aim to leverage their complementary strengths — India’s rapidly advancing infrastructure and competitive ecosystem, and SHI’s global expertise in building complex, technologically advanced vessels.
A timely partnership for India’s maritime ambitions
This strategic alignment comes at a time when India is intensifying its efforts to emerge as a global hub for shipbuilding. The government has been extending favorable policies, financial incentives, and infrastructure support to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness. With global trade shifting and an increasing emphasis on sustainable maritime solutions, the collaboration is seen as a pivotal step in positioning India as a key player in the international shipbuilding arena.
Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena (retd.), CEO of Swan Defence and Heavy Industries, emphasized the significance of the partnership, saying, “We are excited to partner with Samsung Heavy Industries, a global leader in shipbuilding. Our shared vision is to deliver enhanced value to customers and shape the future of shipbuilding through advanced technologies and strategic cooperation. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and strengthening this partnership in due course.”
Focus on technology and sustainability
Beyond shipbuilding projects, the MoU also emphasizes next-generation vessel designs and the integration of green technologies to align with the global shift toward sustainable maritime solutions. Both partners plan to adopt digital shipbuilding methodologies, optimize project execution through value engineering, and localize material sourcing to reduce costs and boost operational efficiency.
This cooperation is expected to pave the way for energy-efficient ship designs, the adoption of advanced digital platforms for ship production, and the incorporation of environmentally friendly technologies, including low-emission propulsion systems.
Strengthening India’s shipbuilding infrastructure
SDHI already holds a leading position in India’s maritime infrastructure. The company operates the country’s largest dry dock, measuring 662 meters by 65 meters, with a capacity of 400,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT). It also boasts an annual steel fabrication capacity of 144,000 tonnes and a dedicated offshore yard spanning 750 meters by 265 meters. This facility supports fabrication, erection, and load-out of large platforms, offshore structures, and heavy engineering modules weighing up to 10,000 tonnes.
By combining SDHI’s expansive facilities with SHI’s advanced shipbuilding know-how, the partnership is expected to unlock new avenues of growth, drive innovation in vessel construction, and expand India’s global competitiveness in maritime trade.
A milestone for the future
The collaboration between SDHI and Samsung Heavy Industries marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s maritime capabilities. It not only reflects the growing importance of international cooperation in the shipbuilding sector but also underlines a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and value creation.
As both companies move forward under this agreement, industry experts anticipate a strong push for India’s emergence as a hub for high-value shipbuilding, aligned with the nation’s vision of becoming a global maritime powerhouse
