The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is close to finalising the process for placing orders for four Kamsarmax bulk carriers, each of 80,000-81,000 dwt.
"We've shortlisted the yard," says a spokesman for the company, but declines to name it.
A move is also afoot to acquire four Capesize bulk carriers, each of 170,000 dwt. Hopefully, the delivery of these vessels will start from 2011-12, observes the spokesman.
The last Capesize vessel, Samrat Ashok, the shipping line sold was in 1996 and the last Panamax vessel, Rani Padmini, in 2006.
The shipping has already on order six Supramax bulk carriers of 58,400 each, with delivery due to start from 2011-12.
The ships are currently being built at the Dalian shipyard (China) of the Korean shipbuilder STX.
Fleet
Right now SCI's bulk carrier fleet comprises 15 handymax (12 of 45,000 dwt each, two of 45,000 dwt and one 43,000 dwt) and five handysize of 26,000 dwt each.
In 2008, the shipping line is to take delivery of three ships-one VLCC (very large crude carrier) and two container vessels of 4,400 TEUs each and in 2009, two vessels-one VLCC and one medium range product tanker.
However, the joint venture companies the national carrier has floated with others will take delivery of more ships.
Thus, the LNG joint venture with K Line, NYK and Qatar Shipping will take delivery of one LNG carrier while the joint venture with Forbes, four chemical carriers in 2009.
In 2010, as many as 13 ships will be delivered, add the sources.
In past few years, SCI has ordered 28 ships worth $1.64 billion with various shipyards, highest in SCI's history so far.
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