Powering India’s Ambition to Become a Global Shipbuilder

who we are

India’s premier private shipyard

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) combines scale, capability, and strategic location to deliver globally competitive shipbuilding and heavy engineering solutions. With a quarter of India’s shipbuilding capacity, SDHI is a key enabler of the country’s maritime ambitions.

Situated on India’s west coast, the yard offers direct access to major global shipping routes, serving international shipping lines, energy companies, and defence clients. Spread across 600 acres, the facility features India’s largest dry dock, capable of handling some of the world’s largest vessels, along with a dedicated offshore fabrication yard and the largest covered fabrication sites in the country.

As part of Swan Corp Limited, SDHI delivers complex projects with a strong focus on quality, safety, and global standards.

About our Parent Group

India's Growth Partner

Swan Corp Limited is a century-old diversified industrial conglomerate shaping India’s next era of growth. The group is on a mission to power India’s high-growth sectors by delivering complex, large-scale projects with excellence, safety, and sustainability. Swan Corp has business interests across shipbuilding & heavy engineering, energy, textile, real estate, and technology.

India’s Largest Shipyard & Heavy Engineering Company

5 MMTPA Greenfield LNG Regasification Port

State-of-the-Art Fabric Processing Facility

5.2 MN Sq. Ft Commercial & Residential Spaces Developed

Our Vision

To be a global leader in shipbuilding and offshore fabrication while delivering advanced green-tech solutions, and developing an integrated maritime ecosystem.

Our Mission

To design and build commercial and defence vessels of exceptional quality, durability, and performance. We are committed to advancing maritime innovation, while upholding the highest standards of safety and craftsmanship, and delivering reliable solutions that support global commerce, defines, and exploration. We aim to strengthen the maritime industry and serve our clients with integrity and excellence.

Our Values

Accountability

Customer Focus

Innovation

Integrity

Quality

Safety

Sustainability

Teamwork

Trust

Accountability

Customer Focus

Innovation

Integrity

Quality

Safety

Sustainability

Teamwork

Trust

Legacy

Shipyard's Journey Through The Years

1997

Incorporation

Pipavav Shipyard Limited incorporated, with a vision to spur shipbuilding along the west coast of India.

2000 – 2015

Expansion & Commissioning of India's Largest Dry Dock

The company began major capacity expansion, including fabrication and dry dock infrastructure. A 662 m × 65 m dry dock is commissioned, supported by India's largest Goliath cranes, creating a state-of-the-art facility for construction of large vessels. Over the next few years, the shipyard delivered eight Ice-class Panamax bulk carrier, seven Offshore Support Vessels and multiple Ship-to-Shore Cranes.

2016 – 2020

Entry into Defence Shipbuilding

Following a change in the management, the shipyard expanded its scope by undertaking defence vessel projects, aligning with India's Make in India initiative. The company was renamed Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited (RNEL).

2021 – 2025

Shipyard Acquired by Swan Corp Limited

Following financial downturn and eventual bankruptcy, the shipyard was acquired under due process of NCLT by Swan Corp Limited and was reestablished as Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI). The shipyard underwent a complete transformation with a renewed focus on commercial and defence shipbuilding, repairs & refits, and heavy engineering.

2026

Driving Maritime Growth

SDHI has brought the shipyard at Pipavav back on the global shipbuilding map and won the trust of global clientele to build world-class maritime solutions. Under the new management, the shipyard has bagged several exports orders including chemical tankers, ammonia-fuelled bulk carriers and defence vessel along with multiple repairs projects. SDHI has also commenced heavy engineering services with fabrication of material handling equipment.

Our Leaders

Nikhil Merchant

Chairman & Managing Director

Paresh Merchant

Non-Executive Director

Vivek Merchant

Director

Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena IN (Retd.)

Chief Executive Officer

Arvind Morbale

Executive Director

Looking to Connect with Us

Join us in our mission to deliver high-quality, reliable, efficient and future-ready maritime solutions tailored to meet the growing global demand of the maritime trade and security