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The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru. T. R. Baalu today performed the naming ceremony of Shipping Corporation of India’s(SCI) new Very Large Crude Oil Carrier (VLCC), at a glittering function at Ulsan in South Korea this morning.
In his naming address, the Minister stated that “Desh” means ‘country’ and “Ujaala” means ‘light’ and thus this vessel has been aptly named ‘Desh Ujaala’ as it would bring energy for the nation by transporting oil cargo.
Apart from Thiru. Baalu, the function was attended by the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea, Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India, Joint Secretary (Shipping), Government of India and the President & Chief Executive Officer of M/s Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd and other dignitaries.
The contract for the vessel was awarded in June, 2003 to M/s Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd. and the vessel would be delivered to SCI on 25th January, 2005. The second vessel of the series is expected to be delivered in August, 2005. The new VLCC, costing about US $ 65 million, has a dead weight of 3,16,000 tonnes and it would be the largest vessel in the Indian Register. The vessel, classed with DNV and IRS, has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations including United States Coast Guard Rules and OBA-90.
Inclusion of this Vessel in the SCI’s fleet is expected to strengthen the company’s position in energy transportation. The company has a fleet of 82 vessels at present and acquisition of this vessel is in line with SCI’s strategy of maintaining a modern and young fleet of vessels.
Earlier, Thiru. T. R. Baalu met Mr. Hee-Beorn Lee, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea, in Seoul on 19th January, 2005. During the Meeting, various issues of mutual interest were discussed and the possibility of attracting private investment for setting up of two yards of international standards in India was explored. The Minister also visited Kyungju City and held discussions with the Hyundai Shipping officials on various issues relating to shipping sector. It is expected that the visit of Thiru. T. R. Baalu would further strengthen bilateral relations between India and the Republic of Korea.
NSD
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