The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, an MSME shipyard based in Thane, for the construction of 04 × 500-tonne Self-Propelled Fuel Barges for the Indian Navy.
These vessels will strengthen the Navy’s logistics support and fuel replenishment capability, ensuring operational readiness of naval assets.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Contract Signed By | Ministry of Defence |
| Shipyard | Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd (MSME) |
| Location | Thane, Maharashtra |
| Number of Vessels | 4 Self-Propelled Fuel Barges |
| Capacity | 500 tonnes each |
| End User | Indian Navy |
| Manufacturing Initiative | Make in India & Aatmanirbhar Bharat |
Primary Role of the Fuel Barges
The barges will support naval logistics by supplying fuel to ships and submarines.
| Function | Description |
| Fuel Replenishment | Supplying fuel to naval ships and submarines |
| Harbour Operations | Providing fuel supply inside naval harbours |
| Anchorage Operations | Supporting vessels anchored offshore |
| Fleet Readiness | Ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability for naval assets |
These vessels are crucial for sustaining naval operations without delays in refuelling.
Design and Construction Standards
The barges will be built according to the classification rules of the
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Key Design Characteristics
- Self-propelled vessels
- 500-tonne fuel carrying capacity
- Designed for harbour and anchorage operations
- Built under Indian shipbuilding standards.
Strategic Importance
1. Strengthening Naval Logistics
Fuel barges ensure continuous operational support to ships and submarines by enabling efficient refuelling at naval bases and anchorages.
2. Enhancing Fleet Readiness
These vessels help maintain operational readiness of naval fleets, especially during high-tempo maritime operations.
3. Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The project aligns with national initiatives such as:
- Make in India
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat
This supports the development of indigenous defence manufacturing capability.
Boost to MSME Shipbuilding Ecosystem
The contract demonstrates the Indian Navy’s commitment to promoting MSME shipyards.
Expected Benefits
| Area | Impact |
| MSME Growth | Encourages participation of smaller shipbuilders |
| Domestic Shipbuilding | Strengthens India’s maritime manufacturing sector |
| Skill Development | Generates technical employment |
| Industrial Ecosystem | Supports ancillary maritime industries |
Alignment with Maritime India Vision 2030
The project supports objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to:
- Strengthen shipbuilding capabilities
- Promote domestic maritime industries
- Develop advanced port and maritime logistics infrastructure.