L&T finishes 110-module delivery for Australia’s largest urea plant

Larsen & Toubro has completed fabrication and delivery of 110 modules for Project CERES, Australia’s largest urea manufacturing plant, under the Saipem-Clough Joint Venture in Western Australia. The milestone underscores India’s growing role in large-scale modular fabrication and complex cross-border project delivery.

Why it matters: - L&T’s work on Project CERES shows that major industrial plants can be fabricated, tested and pre-commissioned in India and shipped ready to install in Australia. - The project strengthens India’s position in modular fabrication for large energy and chemicals projects. - The delivery model can reduce on-site complexity, improve safety oversight and support tighter schedules for remote projects.

What happened: - Larsen & Toubro completed fabrication and delivery of 110 modules for Project CERES. - The modules weighed about 64,000 metric tonnes in total. - Project CERES is being developed by Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers in Karratha, Western Australia. - The project is being executed under the Saipem-Clough Joint Venture. - The modules were fabricated at L&T’s Modular Fabrication Facility at Kattupalli, near Chennai, India. - L&T shipped the modules from India to Karratha in 23 marine shipments. - The delivery reached Australia in fully tested, pre-commissioned and ready-to-install condition.

The details: - L&T’s scope covered 47 Pre-assembled Units and 63 Pre-assembled Racks. - Project CERES is designed as Australia’s largest urea manufacturing plant, with capacity of 2.3 MTPA. - Fabrication, equipment installation, integration, testing and pre-commissioning were done in a controlled environment. - The modular approach allowed parallel execution and greater oversight of safety and quality. - The process also improved predictability and reduced the number of interfaces at the project site. - The project achieved 37 million safe workhours. - The modules met Australian biosecurity requirements and Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas requirements. - Dimensional, quality and interface controls supported integration at the Karratha site. - Many complex equipment packages inside the modules were fabricated at L&T’s manufacturing facility in Hazira, Gujarat. - The Kattupalli facility is India’s largest module fabrication yard. - The Kattupalli yard spans 900,000 square metres and includes dedicated marine load-out infrastructure. - The facility has annual fabrication capacity above 70,000 metric tonnes.

Between the lines: - L&T is positioning modularisation as a single delivery model that combines engineering, procurement, fabrication and logistics. - The company is using Project CERES to show that India can serve as a source of integrated project execution, not just low-cost manufacturing. - The wider implication is that modular construction could matter across LNG, gas processing, refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, hydrogen and low-carbon fuels. - Remote sites, tight labour markets and schedule pressure make that delivery model especially relevant.

What's next: - The modules will be integrated at the Karratha project site as Project CERES moves toward completion. - L&T expects the project to reinforce its role as a global partner for complex modular solutions. - The broader modular fabrication market may see more use of controlled-yard construction for large energy projects.

The bottom line: - Project CERES is both a delivery milestone and a proof point for India’s ability to execute large-scale modular industrial projects for global customers.