Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) Chairman and Managing Director Binesh Kumar Tyagi said the government has estimated that 112 domestic crude oil vessels will be needed in future to reduce dependence on foreign ships for imports, as part of its plans to ensure self-reliance. And towards this goal, the SCI plans to invite tenders for building medium range crude oil containers in the next few weeks.

Mr. Tyagi was in the city to participate in the LPG consignment operation of the very large gas container (VLGC), Shivalik, at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority’s LPG Terminal here on Monday. The ship arrived at the Visakhapatnam port to unload a consignment of LPG cargo for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL). Shivalik is the second VLGC inducted by the SCI after Sahyadri in August. This acquisition is part of the SCI’s expansion in the gas transportation sector.

Mr. Tyagi said that Shivalik, which is 225 metres long. 37 metres wide and has a capacity of 82,000 metric tonnes, has been purchased from Korea with an investment of 2512 crore. The LPG carried in this ship is equivalent to 1.1 crore LPG domestic gas cylinders. The LPG is operated at minus 42 degrees Celsius and the ship has a 360-degree view. It is equipped with an autopilot system.

"Shivalik has come to the city at its full capacity. A part of the LPG will be supplied here and the remaining will be supplied at the Haldia port," said Mr. Tyagi.

Meanwhile, if the country has the crude oil tankers it requires for its domestic needs, it can save about 16 lakh crore per year, said Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. This amount is nearly 95% of that spent on hiring foreign ships. The country imports over 85% of its crude oil.

"India needs its own ships. This is the aim of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Mr. Sonowal said.

Source: The Hindu

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