India: Bharati Shipyard Delivers New AHTS Vessel to SCI

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) accepted delivery of a 80 T BP Anchor Handling, Towing & Supply vessel “M.V. SCI Mukta” today, 19th March, 2012.

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 two vessels, “m.v. SCI Panna” and “m.v. SCI Ratna” were delivered to SCI on 23 rd August, 2011 and on 14th October, 2011. “SCI Mukta” is the third vessel of the series. The fourth vessel is scheduled for delivery by June 2012.

The vessel has a gross tonnage of 2,039 tonnes and deadweight of 1,966 tonnes. The vessel has been classed with IRS and has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations.

In the offshore sector, SCI presently has a fleet of 12 vessels of which 9 vessels were acquired during the mid eighties. These vessels have been 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 T BP capacity and two PSVs with Cochin Shipyard on nomination basis. As a part of replacement of SCI’s 10 AHTSVs, recently SCI has ordered six AHTSVs of 80 T BP capacity at ABG Shipyard. The service of these vessels would be crucial to the E&P operators in the Indian Offshore sector.

SCI today has a diversified fleet of 74 vessels which includes 12 offshore supply vessels. With addition of this vessel, SCI’s fleet strength stands at 75 vessels of 5.51 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 28 vessels on order at present and 3 of these are scheduled for delivery by the end of FY 2011-12.

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Source: SCI, March 20, 2012; Image: Bharati Shipyard