The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) took delivery of a Kamsarmax bulk carrier, m.v. Vishva Chetna, on May 20. This was the second of the four Kamsarmax bulk carriers ordered by SCI from Jiangsu Eastern Heavy Industries, China. Orders for the vessels were placed in September 2010 and the first, m. v. Vishva Jyoti, was delivered on December 18 last year. The vessels were ordered as replacement for SCI�s existing Daewoo series Handymax bulk carriers, which were built in 1986-87 and have been phased out.

SCI had been predominantly operating smaller sized Handymax and Handysize bulk carriers in the past. With the delivery of these larger Kamsarmax vessels having higher cargo carrying capacity, the company would be enhancing its presence in India�s import and export of dry bulk cargo, highlighted an official release. The vessels are suited for worldwide trading and can be alternatively deployed in cross trades depending on the opportunities available.

m.v. Vishva Chetna has a gross tonnage of 44,864 tonnes and deadweight of 81,734 tonnes. The vessel is dually classed with BV and IRS and has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations, the release stressed.

As a national carrier, the aim of SCI has been to boost its presence in the country�s increasing dry bulk trade. Strengthening its bulk carrier fleet would help the company contribute to this growth, the release pointed out.

With the addition of this vessel, SCI's fleet strength stands at 79 vessels of 5.96 million DWT. Acquisition of vessels is in line with the company�s strategy of maintaining a modern and young fleet. It has 15 vessels on order at present, the release disclosed