India has secured its first order for ammonia dual-fuel vessels, with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited signing a contract to build four 92,500 dwt bulk carriers for Energy ONE Limited at its Pipavav shipyard.

The four vessels, measuring 229.5 m in length with a beam of 37 m, will be equipped with ammonia-fuelled propulsion systems, designed by South Korean firm KMS-EMEC and classed by DNV. They are also among the largest commercial vessels ever contracted at an Indian yard. The first delivery is scheduled for October 2029, with subsequent vessels following at four-month intervals. 

“Winning this project is an important step forward for us,” said Vivek Merchant, director at SDHI. “It reflects the confidence global stakeholders are placing in Indian shipbuilding, and in the capabilities we have developed at Pipavav. Ammonia as a marine fuel is still at an early stage, and we are proud to be part of that transition.”

wanEnergy ONE is the general partner for New Energy One, a Jersey-registered investment fund with a $2bn capital programme focused on zero-emission newbuildings. NEO has also signed an MoU with Sagarmala Finance Corp for India’s Maritime Development Fund to co-invest in green shipping projects.