SCI on a robust acquisition spree
Continuing with its acquisition program, state-owned, Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) placed orders for six Anchor Handling, Towing and Supply (AHTS) vessels with ABG Shipyard Ltd, India’s largest private sector shipbuilder.
This is in line with SCI’s commitment to giving strong support to the development of the Indian shipbuilding industry and restricting its acquisitions to yards within the country. The shipyard was selected through competitive tendering process which was limited only for Indian shipyards. The vessels would be delivered in a phased manner from 2013 to 2014.
The vessels ordered by SCI are of 80 tonne bollard pull capacity each with superior specifications. These AHTSs will be able to offer the essential support and services for the growth of the Indian offshore industry, a sector in which SCI plans to play a dominant role.
The SCI presently has a fleet of 12 vessels in the offshore sector of which 9 vessels were acquired during the mid eighties. These vessels have been serving the oil exploration and production sector in India and the older vessels were upgraded by SCI with dynamic positioning systems, enabling the vessels to offer superior service to the oil industry. The present order of six vessels would serve as part replacement of these ageing assets after their phase out from the service.
In addition to these 12 owned vessels SCI has on order 2 AHTS vessels of 80T capacity each, 3 AHTS of 120T capacity each and 2 PSVs. SCI has also been operating offshore vessels owned by Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, some of which are specialized vessels requiring high technical expertise for management. SCI has built up such required expertise through rigorous training of dedicated teams over the years. The present order for six 80T capacity vessels mark SCI’s further interest in the offshore segment, which is growing at a rapid pace in the international as well as Indian context.
With the present order SCI’s order book position improves to 29 vessels, which include VLCCs, cellular containers vessels, bulk carriers and offshore vessels.
Two weeks back SCI had accepted delivery of a Supramax Bulk carrier, m.v. Vishva Ekta. The vessel was the fourth of SCI’s six Supramax bulk carriers ordered at STX (Dalian) Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., China. Orders for these vessels which will be completed by March 2012 are part replacement of SCI’s existing Daewoo series Handymax bulk carriers which were built in 1986/87.
m.v. Vishva Ekta has a gross tonnage of 33,185 tonnes and deadweight of 57,099 tonnes. The vessel has been classed with DNV and IRS and has been built to comply with the latest international regulations. With addition of these two vessels, SCI’s fleet strength stands at 79 vessels totaling 5.7 DWT.