Indian Navy-Shoft Shipyard contract signing ceremony. March 03, 2026 (New Delhi).
Shoft Shipyard Private Limited Wins Indian Navy’s Self-Propelled Fuel Barge Contract: New Delhi — March 3, 2026 — India’s Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, Thane, for the construction of four 500-tonne self-propelled fuel barges for the Indian Navy. The contract was finalised on March 2, 2026.
The barges will be developed under the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives and built according to the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
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Shoft Shipyards Private Limited’s facility.
Role and Capabilities
The primary mission of the barges will be the replenishment of fuel for ships and submarines, both in harbour and at anchorage. These vessels are designed to support the operational readiness of the Indian Navy’s fleet while adhering to domestic shipbuilding standards.
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Boosting MSME Shipyards and Domestic Industry
By awarding the contract to an MSME shipyard, the Indian Navy aims to encourage the growth of smaller domestic shipbuilders, contributing to the expansion of India’s shipbuilding ecosystem in line with Maritime India Vision 2030.
This contract reinforces India’s commitment to strengthening indigenous capabilities in maritime logistics and supporting domestic shipbuilding enterprises while ensuring operational support for the Navy.
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