### **Overview** Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), formerly known as Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited (RNEL), is India’s largest private shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company. Strategically located in Pipavav, Gujarat, on the west coast, the company operates one of the most advanced and largest integrated shipbuilding, repair, and offshore fabrication facilities in the country—and among the largest globally. SDHI successfully emerged from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) resolution process in FY 2024–25, marking the revival of India’s biggest shipyard. Since January 2024, under new management, the company has undertaken a comprehensive restructuring and modernization plan focused on operational restoration, commercial revitalization, and technological advancement. --- ### **Core Infrastructure & Capabilities** As of November 2025, SDHI’s facility is fully operational and features world-class infrastructure: - **Dry Dock**: - 662 meters long × 65 meters wide—the **largest in India and one of the largest in the world**. - Can accommodate up to **six vessels simultaneously** (up to 400,000 DWT) with modular slotting for concurrent construction and repair. - **Fabrication Capacity**: - Annual steel fabrication capacity of **144,000 to 164,000 tons**, depending on product segment. - A **2.1–2.5 million sq. ft. Block Construction Site**—exceeding the combined capacity of most Indian shipyards. - Houses India’s **largest pipe shop**, capable of producing **1,000 pipe spools per day**. - Features a **semi-automatic fabrication line** producing high-precision, complex blocks meeting international standards. - **Heavy-Lift & Berthing Infrastructure**: - Equipped with a **600-tonne Goliath crane**, and previously two cranes with a combined 1,200-tonne capacity. - **Pre-erection berth**: 980 meters long × 40 meters wide. - **Outfitting berth**: 780 meters long. - **Offshore Fabrication Facility**: - Spans 750 × 265 meters with floor strength exceeding **25 tonnes/sq. meter**, suitable for large offshore structures (oil & gas platforms, wind turbine foundations, subsea systems). - **Strategic Logistics**: - Located within an **Export Oriented Unit (EOU)** and **Special Economic Zone (SEZ)**, providing tax and working capital efficiencies. - Connected to **Pipavav Port**, with Ro-Ro access, container terminals, and proximity to major global trade routes (U.S., EU, Gulf, Africa, Asia). --- ### **Revival & Operational Milestones (FY 2024–25)** - Successfully restructured via NCLT resolution and restored full operations. - Appointed experienced leadership, including **Mr. Arvind Jayasing Morbale** (ex-ONGC) to strengthen strategic oversight in heavy engineering and offshore projects. - **Ship repair operations resumed in August 2024** with the Indian Coast Guard—multiple refit projects completed ahead of schedule. - **New build operations initiated in December 2024.** - **Eight work-in-progress vessels** acquired with the shipyard are being liquidated, generating early liquidity and clearing yard congestion. - Critical infrastructure restored: dry dock, Goliath crane, workshops, and utility systems. - Acquired **international certifications** and upgraded OEM partnerships to meet global standards. --- ### **Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations** - **Royal IHC (Netherlands)**: - Strategic partnership to co-develop **integrated offshore and specialized vessels** for oil & gas and **renewable energy markets**. - Combines Royal IHC’s engineering leadership with SDHI’s infrastructure and skilled workforce to boost **indigenous capability** and global competitiveness. - **F.A.S.T. Model with Wheel & Time Shipping Transport Logistics (April 2025)**: - A **turnkey heavy engineering solution** integrating SDHI's fabrication and waterfront infrastructure with Wheel & Time’s LSTK logistics. - Targets clients in **ports, petrochemicals, offshore EPC, oil & gas, and marine infrastructure**. - Aims to **reduce project timelines, risks, and handoffs** through seamless execution and global shipping linkages. --- ### **Commercial Pipeline & Business Strategy** - **Diverse Service Offering**: - New vessel construction (commercial, defense, offshore) - Ship and rig repairs/retrofits - Heavy engineering and offshore fabrication - Modular block construction for global shipyards - **Client Engagement**: - Over **700 outreach initiatives** globally and domestically. - MoUs signed with Indian and international **design agencies**, including a stake in **Conceptia**, a naval architecture firm. - Active participation in global maritime events (e.g., **SMM Hamburg 2024**)—over 50 B2B meetings with OEMs, shipowners, and project managers. - **Target Sectors**: - Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Ministry of Defence (NOPVs already delivered historically). - Offshore EPC contractors (oil & gas and renewables). - International shipping lines and offshore operators. - **Procurement Strategy**: - Developing a resilient supply chain via OEM networks to improve cost competitiveness. - Exploring **Project Management Consultant (PMC)** for large offshore tenders. --- ### **Investments in Future-Readiness** - **Automation & Digitalization**: - Deploying **robotics** in welding and painting. - Investing in **AI, digital twins, and project management platforms** to improve precision and reduce delivery cycles. - **Sustainability & Innovation**: - Exploring **green shipbuilding**—design, fabrication of zero-emission vessels using alternative fuels. - Entering **offshore wind energy sector** with fabrication of turbine jackets, transition pieces, and subsea systems. - **Workforce Development**: - Employs over **1,100 personnel**, with continued focus on upskilling and recruitment. - Building a **skilled, safety-conscious workforce** to support complex, quality-driven projects. --- ### **Challenges** - **Raw Material Costs**: Higher steel and input prices compared to Chinese yards, affecting price competitiveness. - **Limited Financial Incentives**: Ship Building Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) offers less support for conventional vessels, constraining pricing flexibility for exports. - **Customer Confidence**: Past ownership and operational instability impacted trust; rebuilding through execution track record.