Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has inducted a new LPG carrier, Sahyadri, into its fleet, strengthening the country’s self-reliance in transporting vital energy cargo. Built in South Korea, the 225-metre-long, 36-metre-wide Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) has a capacity of 82,000 cubic metres of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
With this addition, SCI’s owned fleet has expanded to 57 vessels and its total deadweight tonnage has risen to 5.2 million tonnes. Named after the mountain range along India’s western coast, Sahyadri will primarily operate between the Persian Gulf and Indian ports, ensuring uninterrupted LPG supplies. Another VLGC, to be renamed Shivalik, is expected to join SCI’s fleet later this financial year.
Officials said the acquisition aligns with the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on foreign-flagged ships for strategic cargo and build a globally competitive shipping sector. “Every addition to our fleet is a step towards a stronger, self-reliant maritime India. With the growing fleet of Indian-flagged vessels, we are moving towards our maritime goal of becoming Atmanirbhar and propelling economic growth to become Viksit Bharat,” Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said. In a statement, SCI noted: “With Sahyadri joining the fleet, India sails one step closer to its 2047 vision — a proud maritime nation commanding a larger share of global trade and securing its economic future at sea.”
