Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Swan Defence bags Rs 750 crore tugboat order from Svitzer
Svitzer is a shipping company in Denmark that helps big ships come into ports safely.
They asked an Indian company called Swan Defence and Heavy Industries to build four new tugboats.
Tugboats are strong little boats that push and pull huge ships.
The tugboats will be made in a shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat, in India.
They are called TRAnsverse 3200, and their special design was created by Robert Allan and Svitzer together.
Each tugboat can pull with the strength of 80 tonnes, which is very powerful.
They use about 15% less fuel than regular tugboats, which helps keep the environment cleaner.
The boats can also use clean biofuel and meet strict pollution rules.
They are even ready to help fight fires at ports.
The first tugboats are expected to be ready in early 2028.
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) won an export order worth Rs 251-Rs 750 crore from Denmark-based towage operator Svitzer A/S.
The contract covers four TRAnsverse 3200 tugboats to be built at SDHI's Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2028, with vessels built to Bureau Veritas class standards.
The tugboats deliver an 80-tonne bollard pull and are up to 15% more fuel-efficient than conventional tugboats.
The vessels will be biofuel-ready, IMO Tier III compliant, and FiFi1 firefighting class ready.
- Who
- Swan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI), an Indian shipbuilder, and Svitzer A/S, a Denmark-based towage operator.
- What
- SDHI secured an export order worth Rs 251-Rs 750 crore to build four TRAnsverse 3200 tugboats for Svitzer.
- When
- The contract was announced on Thursday, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2028.
- Where
- At SDHI's shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat, India.
- Why
- The order is part of Svitzer's long-term fleet renewal programme and its continued investment in India, supporting Maritime India Vision 2030, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
- Contract value
- Rs 251-750 crore
- Buyer
- Svitzer A/S (Denmark)
- Vessels
- Four TRAnsverse 3200 tugboats
- Shipyard
- Pipavav, Gujarat, India
- Deliveries
- Begin in early 2028
- Bollard pull
- 80 tonnes
- Fuel efficiency
- Up to 15% more fuel-efficient than conventional tugboats
- Compliance
- Biofuel-ready, IMO Tier III, FiFi1 firefighting class
