Rerouting through the Cape of Good Hope has soaked in all the extra capacity present with the shipping lines and vessels – be it container ships or bulk carriers are presently in high demand. This booming market scenario is making it tough for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to expand its fleet, as fleet owners have turned up a cold response to SCI’s call for adding second hand tonnage through a tender.
SCI had stepped into the market with a budget of Rs.2000 Cr with plans to buy six ships which could be around 10 to 20 years old, including:
- Container ship with 9000 to 12000 teu capacity
- Very large gas carrier with a capacity of 79000 to 84000 cubic meters of LPG
- Medium range product tanker of around 52000 DWT
- Anchor handling tug supply vessel (preferably Indian flagged)
- Multipurpose supply/offshore vessel
- A two decade old high speed craft
However, not many ship owners have positively responded to the tender call. It is anticipated that when new builds ordered by shipping lines join the fleet in the coming 2 to 5 years, maybe then SCI may find some used vessels put up for sale.
