Shipping Corporation of India Takes Delivery of New AHTS Vessel

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) accepted delivery of a 80 T BP Anchor Handling, Towing & Supply vessel “m.v. SCI Ratna” on  October 14th 2011.

SCI had signed contracts for acquisition of four nos. newbuilding 80 T BP Anchor Handling, Towing & Supply vessels with Bharati Shipyard Limited, India. The first vessel, “m.v. SCI Panna” was delivered to SCI on 23rd August, 2011 and the remaining two vessels are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2011.

The vessel has a gross tonnage of 2,039 tonnes and deadweight of 1,983 tonnes. The vessel has been classed with IRS, equipped with DP I system and has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations.

In the offshore sector, SCI presently has a fleet of 11 vessels of which 10 vessels were acquired during the eighties. These vessels have been dedicatedly serving the oil exploration and production sector in India for the last 25 years. The four AHTSVs ordered with Bharati Shipyard are 1st phase replacement of SCI’s 10 AHTSVs & comply with superior specifications like Dynamic Positioning, Reverse Osmosis Plant and UKOOA compliance as required by Indian E&P operators, etc. As a National carrier, SCI has been aiming to increase its presence in India’s offshore sector. To promote Indian Shipbuilding industry, SCI has ordered four AHTSVs of 120 BP capacity and two PSVs with Cochin Shipyard on nomination basis. The service of these vessels would be crucial to the E&P operators in the Indian Offshore sector. Apart from serving the nation’s interest, the vessel would also strengthen SCI’s fleet base as well as start a new era in its offshore segment.

SCI today has a diversified fleet of 82 vessels which includes 12 offshore supply vessels. With addition of this vessel, SCI’s fleet strength has increased to 82 vessels and has touched a new high of 5.827 million DWT. Acquisition of the vessel is in line with SCI’s strategy of maintaining a modern and young fleet of vessels. The Company has 27 vessels on order at present and 9 of these are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2011.