The Netherlands-based IHC Holland BV, the world’s largest dredger manufacturer, has pledged to actively support India’s shipbuilding sector through a new partnership with Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd. The collaboration, formalized last week with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will focus on assisting Swan in project acquisition and ship construction, said Derk te Bokkel, CEO of Royal IHC.
“The MoU signals both trust and opportunity,” Bokkel told ET during his visit to Mumbai. “We believe Indian shipbuilding has a role on the global stage, and Royal IHC wants to support this growth.”
Timing Aligns with Government Push
Bokkel’s trip coincided with the Indian Union Cabinet approving a ₹69,725 crore package to boost domestic shipbuilding. The initiative aims to position India among the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and within the top five by 2047.
Experience in Dredger Construction
Royal IHC has a long history of supplying hopper dredgers to India. While continuing to produce some vessels in Dutch yards for shorter lead times, the company has started localizing hopper dredger construction at Indian shipyards.
Cochin Shipyard is currently building a 12,000 cubic metre trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD), the ‘DCI Dredge Brahmaputra,’ for the state-owned Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) at a cost exceeding ₹800 crore. IHC Holland is providing technology and design support. This will be the first ‘Beagle 12’ TSHD constructed anywhere in the world, a highly efficient and reliable new-generation dredger, with options for two additional units.
Focus on Offshore Oil and Gas Vessels
The MoU with Swan Defence will center on specialized vessels for the oil and gas industry. These vessels were previously built in the Netherlands but are now difficult to finance there, opening opportunities for Indian yards with support from Royal IHC’s design and equipment expertise.
“India’s neutral geopolitical position ensures long-term stability for joint ventures with European yards,” Bokkel noted.
Technology Transfer and Project Support
Swan’s shipyard at Pipavav, Gujarat, has been operational for over a year and is now ready to expand its capabilities. Royal IHC plans to transfer technology and provide guidance to ensure projects are delivered on schedule. Depending on project needs, either Swan can build the vessels with IHC supplying technology, or IHC can take the order and build it at Swan’s facilities.
Bokkel emphasized that specialized vessels require experience, so IHC will focus different types of ships on yards with prior expertise. “We have signed an exclusive cooperation with Swan for offshore oil and gas vessels, where IHC acts as a technical advisor and supports project acquisition,” he said.
Broader Collaboration Possibilities
The MoU does not limit IHC’s partnerships in India. “Royal IHC remains open to working with other Indian yards for other vessel types. Our existing dredger collaborations are unaffected by this agreement with Swan,” Bokkel added.
