The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) accepted delivery of a Supramax Bulk carrier, m.v. Vishva Nidhi on 9th September, 2011.
The vessel is first 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. The remaining five vessels are scheduled to be delivered to SCI in a phased manner by March 2012.
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 would improve significantly.
M.V. Vishva Nidhi has a gross tonnage of 33,170 tonnes and deadweight of 57,145 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. However, India has been continuing its growth trajectory and 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 has increased to 82 vessels of 5.87 million dwt which is a new historic high for SCI in terms of 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 9 of these are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2011.
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Source: SCI, September 12, 2011;