Essar Shipping inducts first Mini Cape vessel into its operating fleet

MV Kamlesh

Essar Shipping Limited (ESL) today said that it had inducted MV Kamlesh, its first Mini cape bulk carrier vessel, into its fleet as part of a $1 bllion capital expenditure programme to acquire 12 vessels and two jack-up rigs.

M V Kamlesh, built at STX Dalian Shipyard, is the first in a series of six vessels that ESL will induct in the next six months, a press release from the company, a part of the Essar Group, said.

After acquiring all the 12 vessels, the DWT will go up to 2.6 million tonnes from 1.71 million tonnes making Essar Shipping among the top two private sector shipping companies in India.

It is today one of the largest private sector shipping companies in India, owning the largest fleet of Capesize vessels.

According to the release, Kamlesh is a 253 metre long, 43 metre wide vessel with a cargo capacity of 105000 dwt.

The vessel is fully compliant with international maritime regulations in force as on date, the release said.

The six modern state-of-the-art vessels being built for Essar at STX Shipyard are specially designed shallow drafted vessels, that will provide substantially higher cargo carrying capacity focused on draft conditions of Indian ports.

“Essar Shipping is in the process of enhancing fleet capacity through induction of six MiniCape vessels and six Supramax dry bulk carriers. With the current tonnage of 1.71 million DWT (deadweight tonnes) with the addition of this vessel, Essar Shipping continues to serve its customers efficiently with

"The fleet capacity will rise significantly to 2.6 million DWT after completion of induction of all the 12 vessels. With its shallow draft and high cargo carrying capacity, ESL is confident that these uniquely designed MiniCapesize vessels will make trade to the Indian coast more economical and cost effective for clients in the power, steel and other core sectors," he added.

NNN