SCI Receives Last of Six Bulk Carriers Ordered at STX Dalian, China

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) accepted delivery of a Supramax Bulk carrier, m.v. Vishva Diksha on 02nd May, 2012.

The vessel is the last vessel of SCI’s six nos. Supramax bulk carriers ordered at STX (Dalian) Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., China, which is part of the world renowned STX Offshore and Shipbuilding group of Korea. Orders for these vessels were placed in December 2007.

These vessels were ordered as part replacement of SCI’s existing Daewoo series Handymax bulk carriers which were built in 1986/87. With induction of these vessels the overall age profile of SCI’s bulk carriers has improved significantly to 6 years. “m.v. Vishva Diksha” has a gross tonnage of 33,185 tonnes and deadweight of 57,132.5 tonnes. The vessel has been classed with DNV and IRS and has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations.

The world economy is presently reeling under the recessionary pressure. Although India is not growing at levels touched before the downturn, it is still on a reasonably healthy growth trajectory. Industrial and infrastructural development plays a major role to sustain this growth. As a national carrier, SCI has been aiming to increase its presence in India’s ever increasing dry bulk trade and strengthening its bulk carrier fleet would help SCI contribute to this growth.

With addition of this vessel, SCI’s fleet strength stands at 77 vessels of 5.58 million dwt. Acquisition of this vessel is in line with SCI’s strategy of maintaining a modern and young fleet of vessels. The Company has 25 vessels on order at present and 13 of these are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2012.

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Source: SCI, May 7, 2012