India’s Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Norwegian operator Rederiet Stenersen AS for the construction of six highly advanced, Ice-Class 1A, IMO Type II chemical tankers. This $220 million deal, with an option for an additional six vessels, is viewed as a defining moment for India’s shipbuilding export sector.
Key Vessel Specifications and Technology
The six tankers, which will be built at SDHI’s Pipavav facility in Gujarat (India’s largest shipyard by dry dock capacity), are designed to be “future-ready” for impending stricter environmental regulations.
| Feature | Specification / Requirement | Significance |
| Vessel Type | IMO Type II Chemical Tanker, 18,000 DWT | Designed to transport products with appreciably severe environmental and safety hazards, requiring significant preventive measures against cargo escape. |
| Propulsion System | Hybrid Propulsion | Supports advanced automation, improved maneuverability, and lower emissions. |
| Ice Class | Ice-Class 1A | Certifies the hull and machinery for continuous operation in moderate ice conditions prevalent in areas like Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, where Rederiet Stenersen’s fleet primarily trades. |
| Alternative Fuel Readiness | Conversion to Methanol or LNG | The design includes the provision for conversion to operate on these lower-carbon alternative fuels. |
| Battery Upgrades | Provision for upgrade up to 5,000-kWh | Enables significant improvements in green performance and operational flexibility by utilizing battery power. |
| Classification | DNV | The international classification society will ensure the design and construction meet global standards for safety and environmental performance. |
Market and Regulatory Context
The push for this advanced, hybrid design is directly tied to the need for greener fuels in response to stricter environmental rules:
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) approved a net-zero framework to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around 2050.
- However, the MEPC recently delayed the ratification of this framework, including new requirements on GHG fuel intensity and a pricing mechanism, for one year.
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Source: S&P Global
