SDHI Wins Order from Svitzer to Build four TRAnsverse 3200 Tugs

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), India's largest shipbuilder, has secured a contract from Denmark-based towage operator Svitzer A/S to build four advanced TRAnsverse 3200 tugs. The project is slated to commence deliveries in early 2028. This order follows a rigorous competitive evaluation of global shipyards.

The TRAnsverse 3200 design, co-developed by naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. and Svitzer, boasts a hydrodynamic hull and omni-directional propulsion. These features enable the tugboats to safely maneuver large vessels through severe weather and narrow port channels. With an 80-tonne bollard pull, the vessels are up to 15% more fuel-efficient than traditional tug designs, contributing to global maritime decarbonization efforts.

Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena, SDHI's CEO, expressed pride in the achievement, stating that the contract validates SDHI's engineering prowess in constructing high-specification vessels. Svitzer's CEO, Kasper Friis Nilaus, highlighted the benefits of the TRAnsverse design for customers, including enhanced port productivity, sustainability, and safety.

The contract also underscores SDHI's commitment to India's maritime industry, aligning with the country's Maritime India Vision 2030, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The TRAnsverse 3200 tugs will also meet biofuel, IMO Tier III emissions standards, and FI/Fi1 firefighting requirements, ensuring reduced environmental impact and improved fire-response readiness in port operations.

Svitzer operates a global fleet of over 500 vessels and is expanding its portfolio through a long-term fleet renewal program. The TRAnsverse 3200 tugs will be constructed at SDHI's Pipavav yard in Gujarat, adjacent to Svitzer's existing harbor towage operation.