SCI to buy more than 60 vessels, invest US$3bn

Kolkata, June 11: Shipping Corporation of India(SCI) will invest US$3 billion to expand its fleet capacity by 60.

Speaking to mediapersons, SCI Chairman & Managing Director S Hajara today said the company intends to increase fleet capacity to meet global competition.

The company currently has a fleet of 79 ships with the total capacity of 4.8 million Dead Weight(DW).

''We will get 12 ships ready by 2008-10 which will have a total 1.2mdw. The company has invested US$one billion for this,'' he added.

The SCI owns and operates about 35pc of the Indian tonnage and operates in practically all areas of shipping business servicing, both national and international trades.

The SCI has also charted a definitive course of action for the future.

The thrust areas for growth and diversification focus on energy transportation including the sunrise segment of LNG transportation and container transportation, he added.

UNI