By IANS,
Mumbai : The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) Wednesday got the delivery of a Suezmax crude oil tanker with a gross tonnage (carrying capacity) of 81,334 tonne and deadweight of 1,58,334 tonne, an official said.
“The vessel, purchased from South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Company Ltd (HSHI) on a resale basis, has been named MT Desh Shobha. It has been built to comply with latest international regulations,” the official said.
The shipping markets are prevailing at low levels at present and as a result the shipbuilding industry is also going through a recessionary phase.
“This has presented opportunities for acquisition of vessels at attractive prices and SCI has utilised the available opportunity for acquisition of this vessel from HSHI,” the official added.
Suezmax is a naval architecture term for the largest ship measurements capable of transiting the Suez Canal in a laden condition.
India is dependent on import of crude oil and having own tankers provides vital energy security to the country.
The addition of crude oil tankers to the national fleet will ensure uninterrupted transport of essential cargoes such as crude oil and petroleum products, the official said.
With this acquisition, SCI’s crude oil tanker fleet has increased to 3.63 million dwt (deadweight) and SCI’s fleet strength has increased to 78 vessels of 5.69 million dwt.
SCI has ordered 21 vessels and seven of these are slated for delivery during the remaining period of 2012.