SCI adding nine offshore vessels by March 2012

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) will add nine new offshore vessels available for charter by March 2012. India's largest shipping company will take delivery of six offshore vessels from Cochin Shipyard and three from Bharati Shipyard, according to A.K. Gupta, director offshore at SCI. “The total value of the vessels on order is around INR10.25bn ($224.53m) and this will be funded through external commercial borrowings,” Gupta was reported saying.

The Cochin Shipyard-built vessels are 120 tonnes offshore supply vessels and platform supply vessels while the Bharati Shipyard-built vessels are 80 tonnes anchor handlers. SCI also plans to enter the high-end offshore market such as jack-up rigs, drillships and semi-submersibles. SCI currently has a fleet of 81 ships with a total capacity of 5.7m dwt. With more new ships entering its fleet, the company's capacity is projected to cross 6m dwt in 2013.

Date: 06 Sept 2011                                                                         Source : Schednet