Swan Defence explores Samsung tie-up to scale up shipbuilding at Pipavav

Mint, SDHI chief executive officer Vipin Kumar Saxena said the companies plan to cooperate initially on medium-range (MR) product tankers and potentially very large gas carriers (VLGCs), with Samsung providing designs and engineering support.“We will start by working together on specific ships (MR tankers and VLGCs). Once we execute these successfully and build confidence, the relationship can evolve further,” Saxena said in the interview.Samsung will license vessel designs and provide engineering and material packages, while construction will take place at SDHI’s Pipavav yard.

SDHI will pay design and licence fees on a per-vessel basis.The partnership is currently structured as a licence-led collaboration rather than a formal joint venture, though Saxena said it could expand over time.“At this stage, it is not an equity joint venture. It is a cooperation model where they bring design and know-how, and we execute.

Over time, if both sides see value, it can expand,” he said.Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.The collaboration comes as India seeks to expand domestic capability in complex ship segments and reduce reliance on overseas yards, particularly in categories dominated by Korean and Chinese shipbuilders. Industry executives say a phased licensing model allows Indian yards to acquire technological capability while limiting upfront risk for foreign partners.Swan has submitted a joint bid with SHI in response to a Shipping Corp.

of India (SCI) tender to construct two firm and two optional dual-fuel ready MR product tankers valued at around $200 million in total. The companies are also looking to participate in upcoming SCI tenders for eight VLGCs, under which two vessels would be built at a Korean