JSW Group Orders Four 8,000 DWT General Cargo Vessels at China’s Wuhu Shipyard

The move comes even as the Narendra Modi-led government last year announced a ₹69,725 crore package aimed at revitalising India’s shipbuilding sector and enhancing its global competitiveness.

JSW Group becomes the second major Indian conglomerate in recent months to award shipbuilding contracts to Chinese yards. In 2025, Ambuja Cements Ltd, owned by the Adani Group, ordered seven 9,400 DWT conventional bulk carriers at China’s state-run Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd in a deal estimated at around $100 million.

The latest contract marks JSW Group’s return to Wuhu Shipyard, located in the Sanshan Economic Development Zone, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, where it had earlier ordered 10 bulk carriers.

Announcing the new order on February 13, Wuhu Shipyard said the previously delivered vessels were appreciated for their efficient construction lead times and robust build quality. “JSW Group’s repeat orders serve as a powerful testament to Wuhu Shipyard’s technical expertise, construction quality, and performance credibility,” the yard said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to lean manufacturing, strict quality control, and schedule management.

Both JSW Group and Wuhu Shipyard declined to disclose the value of the new contract.

The four sister vessels will be classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass). Each vessel will measure 122 metres in length overall, with a moulded breadth of 20 metres and a moulded depth of 7.2 metres.

Designed with double-bottom construction, the vessels will feature conventional diesel-powered propulsion systems in a twin-screw, twin-rudder configuration. They will be equipped with two cargo holds and hydraulic folding hatch covers.

According to the shipbuilder, the vessels are tailored for coastal transportation of bulk cargo within India’s near-sea trading areas. The ships are expected to enhance operational flexibility and optimise JSW Group’s fleet composition, thereby improving its logistics efficiency.

Industry observers view the order as a missed opportunity for Indian shipyards. A contract from one of India’s largest conglomerates could have elevated the profile of a domestic yard in the global shipbuilding market.

Sources in the industry said JSW Group’s preference for a Chinese yard underscores the challenges faced by Indian shipbuilders, particularly in terms of competitive pricing and delivery timelines, despite policy support measures announced by the government.

The development highlights the ongoing struggle of India’s shipbuilding sector to compete with established global leaders such as China, which continues to dominate newbuilding orders worldwide.