OREANDA-NEWS. August 23, 2011. Handling, Towing & Supply vessel “m.v. SCI Panna” today, 23rd August, 2011.  SCI had signed contracts for acquisition of four nos. newbuilding 80 T BP Anchor Handling, Towing & Supply vessels with Bharati Shipyard Limited, India. The first vessel, “m.v. SCI Panna” is delivered to SCI today on 23rd August, 2011 and the remaining three vessels are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2011.

The vessel has a gross tonnage of 2,040 tonnes and deadweight of 2,001 tonnes. The vessel has been classed with IRS, equipped with DP I system and has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations.

In the offshore sector, SCI presently has a fleet of 10 vessels which were acquired during the eighties. These vessels have been dedicatedly serving the oil exploration and production sector in India for the last 25 years. The four AHTSVs ordered with Bharati Shipyard are 1st phase replacement of SCI’s 10 AHTSVs & comply with superior specifications like Dynamic Positioning, Reverse Osmosis Plant and UKOOA compliance as required by Indian E&P operators, etc. As a National carrier, SCI has been aiming to increase its presence in India’s offshore sector. To promote Indian Shipbuilding industry, SCI has ordered four AHTSVs of 120 BP capacity and two PSVs with Cochin Shipyard on nomination basis. The service of these vessels would be crucial to the E&P operators in the Indian Offshore sector. Apart from serving the nation’s interest, the vessel would also strengthen SCI’s fleet base as well as start a new era in its offshore segment.

SCI today has a diversified fleet of 81 vessels which includes 11 offshore supply vessels. With addition of this vessel, SCI’s fleet strength has increased to 81 vessels and has touched a new high of 5.815 million DWT. Acquisition of the vessel is in line with SCI’s strategy of maintaining a modern and young fleet of vessels. The Company has 29 vessels on order at present and 10 of these are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2011.