Sanmar Shipping Ltd, a part of Chennai-based Sanmar Group, has entered the crude oil transportation segment by acquiring a so-called Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) from the second-hand market for about $50 million, making it the second Indian fleet owner to own and run an oil super tanker after state-run Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI).
Sanmar Shipping purchased the 321,000 dead weight tonnes (DWT) VLCC named ‘Maran Canopus’ from Athens, Greece-based Angelicoussis Shipping Group Ltd and renamed it aptly as ‘Sanmar Herald’ and registered it under the Indian flag, heralding its entry into the crude oil shipping market. The company has been focussed on the Clean Petroleum Products and Gas Carriers segment so far.
With the addition of the double-hulled VLCC built in 2007 at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd (now known as Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd), Sanmar Shipping operates a fleet of 15 ships, comprising 12 tankers, and three LPG carriers.
Sanmar Shipping said that the oil tanker “will help provide cost-effective and efficient transport of crude oil across India and globally”.
The ‘Sanmar Herald’ is the largest ship in the fleet of Sanmar Shipping – 333 metres long, 60 metres wide and propelled by a 43020 BHP Hyundai B&W 6S90MC-C main engine.
“The Sanmar Herald is a significant addition to our fleet, propelling us past the 1 million tonne DWT milestone and accelerating our mission to address national energy requirements through cost-effective shipping solutions,” Vijay Sankar, Sanmar Group Chairman, said.
The ‘Sanmar Herald’ deploys advanced technologies including wake equalising ducts and Propeller Boss Cap Fins to reduce fuel consumption and drive energy savings.
In comparison, Shipping Corporation of India runs five very large crude carriers.
(source: ET Infra)
