Forever News
Mumbai: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has called upon the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to play a leading role in strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and advancing the country’s ambitions of becoming a globally competitive shipbuilding and ship-owning nation.
Sarbananda Sonowal Hails SCI as Key Pillar of India’s Maritime and Shipbuilding Ambitions.
Speaking at a ceremony in Mumbai marking SCI’s 65 years of service, Sonowal highlighted the public sector shipping major’s contribution to India’s trade, energy security and maritime strength. He said SCI’s expansion over six-and-a-half decades reflects the country’s growing capabilities at sea and its evolving maritime ambitions.
“SCI is one of the clearest examples of India building its own strength at sea,” Sonowal said, underlining the importance of a strong Indian-owned fleet as the country works towards the objectives of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047).
Founded in 1961 as a liner shipping company with just 19 vessels, SCI has grown into a diversified maritime enterprise with 58 vessels aggregating 5.26 million deadweight tonnes (DWT). Its operations cover a wide range of segments, including crude and product tankers, bulk and container shipping, LPG and LNG carriers, offshore services, passenger and coastal transportation, project cargo, ship management and shipbuilding consultancy.
The Union Minister also highlighted SCI’s role in safeguarding India’s energy and trade interests, particularly during the recent Strait of Hormuz crisis. He said the company’s experience and national maritime footprint would be important as India seeks to expand its shipping capacity and strengthen its economic resilience.
“India is no longer content to simply own ships; we are determined to build them, right here at home,” Sonowal said, linking SCI’s future growth with the broader objectives of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Maharashtra Minister for Fisheries and Ports Nitesh Narayan Rane, who attended the event as Guest of Honour, highlighted SCI’s long-standing association with Mumbai and Maharashtra. He said a robust shipping and maritime ecosystem would remain critical for trade, employment generation and the expansion of India’s maritime economy.
SCI Chairman and Managing Director Capt. B.K. Tyagi outlined the corporation’s future plans, reaffirming its commitment to developing a larger, modern and globally competitive fleet. The company is pursuing a fleet augmentation programme supported by the government’s expanded policy and financing initiatives for the maritime sector.
The proposed joint ventures involving Indian Oil’s public sector undertakings and the Bharat Container Shipping Line are expected to provide further momentum to SCI’s fleet expansion plans and support India’s long-term shipping and tonnage objectives under MAKV 2047.
With India seeking to strengthen its position in global shipping and shipbuilding, SCI’s next phase of expansion assumes significance. The corporation’s fleet growth, strategic partnerships and maritime expertise are expected to contribute to India’s energy security, trade resilience and the development of a stronger domestic shipping ecosystem.
As SCI enters its 66th year, its evolution from a 19-vessel liner company into a diversified maritime enterprise reflects the changing scale of India’s ambitions at sea—and its expanding role in the country’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.
