First-ever DNV tie-up with an Indian shipyard signals rising global confidence in India’s maritime capabilities.

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited, DNV Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen India’s Shipbuilding Ecosystem.

India’s largest shipyard by dry dock capacity, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), has signed a strategic partnership with DNV to boost the country’s maritime ecosystem and shipbuilding capabilities. This marks DNV’s first strategic collaboration with an Indian shipyard, underscoring growing international trust in India’s private shipbuilding sector. The partnership will bring global technical expertise to enhance sustainability, safety, performance standards and regulatory compliance across commercial and specialised vessel construction. It aims to strengthen domestic supply chains, develop maritime clusters around Pipavav in Gujarat, and raise indigenous content in shipbuilding to over 90%. The collaboration also focuses on R&D, digital transformation, Industry 4.0 practices, cybersecurity, and next-generation technologies such as green hydrogen- and ammonia-ready vessels, autonomous shipping and advanced naval platforms. Aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the initiative supports India’s ambition to emerge as a global shipbuilding hub while building a skilled, future-ready maritime workforce.