The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, on Monday, received India's third Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC), 'Shivalik', under the Indian flag, at Visakhapatnam Port.
The 82,000-CBM VLGC Shivalik, named after the Himalayan range, was inducted into Shipping Corporation of India Ltd's (SCI) fleet on September 10 and joins Sahyadri and Anandamayi as the corporation’s third VLGC. Built in South Korea, the 225-meter-long carrier represents cutting-edge maritime engineering with segregated tanks, advanced temperature control, and compliance with global safety and efficiency standards.
‘Shivalik' completed her maiden voyage by loading more than 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — comprising propane and butane — at Ruwais, UAE, before arriving in Visakhapatnam for discharge operations for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).
The minister said the induction of ‘Shivalik' by the SCI reflects India’s growing capacity for “Atmanirbharata” (self-reliance) in the shipping sector and its increasing participation in the global energy trade.
The arrival of Shivalik under our national flag is not just a fleet expansion, it is a statement of confidence in India’s maritime resurgence and our growing strength as a leading global maritime nation, the minister noted.
According to Sonowal, the vessel’s arrival under the Indian flag has “immense strategic significance” as it strengthens India’s energy connectivity with the Arabian Gulf and ensures secure, efficient, and reliable LPG transportation to the nation.
“Our seafarers are the ambassadors of India’s maritime might,” Sonowal said, addressing the 29-member crew led by Capt. Bhaskar Tandon.
“The Shivalik stands as a beacon of our determination to expand Indian-flag tonnage and reduce dependence on foreign carriers for critical energy cargo.”
Sonowal said SCI’s ongoing collaborations with oil and steel PSUs, under the guidance of the Ministries of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), are paving the way for a new era of Indian-owned and Indian-flagged vessels.
“SCI is currently working with oil PSUs to aggregate demand for 112 vessels and form a joint venture (JV) for long-term fleet augmentation. The initiative is expected to contribute to the nation’s efforts to save $75 billion (RS 6 trillion) in foreign exchange paid annually towards freight charges to foreign shipping lines,” Sonowal said.
Similarly, SCI’s partnership with steel PSUs aims to strengthen the dry bulk segment, while its plan to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) will boost India’s footprint in container shipping — enhancing EXIM efficiency and competitiveness.
“These initiatives not only reinforce India’s energy security and maritime capacity but also boost domestic shipbuilding, repair, and ancillary industries,” Sonowal said.
“They will create high-quality employment and position India as a maritime power with resilience, innovation, and pride.”
Highlighting a series of policy measures undertaken by the government to build a robust maritime ecosystem, Sonowal said the Rs 69,725 crore comprehensive package for the maritime and shipbuilding sectors will accelerate shipbuilding, modernisation, and competitiveness.
The government has also extended the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) till 2036 with a corpus of Rs 24,736 crore, ensuring sustained support for Indian shipyards. In addition, a Maritime Development Fund (MDF) worth Rs 25,000 crore — comprising a Rs 20,000 crore investment fund and a Rs 5,000 crore interest incentivisation fund — has been established to enable long-term financing and strengthen the industry’s global competitiveness.
The Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), with an outlay of Rs 19,989 crore, aims to expand India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million gross tonnage annually, boosting employment and skill development.
The minister said these measures, coupled with infrastructure status for large vessels, customs duty exemptions for shipbuilding components, and reforms such as the extension of the tonnage tax regime to inland vessels, are “laying the foundation of a globally competitive maritime ecosystem.” “Our vision is to make India a design–build–finance–own–repair– recycle powerhouse,” Sonowal said.
“The arrival of Shivalik symbolises India’s march toward maritime self-reliance and strength,” Sonowal said, adding, "Together, we are scripting a new chapter in India’s maritime destiny — one that sails under the proud tricolour, with confidence, courage, and conviction.”
The vessel was received in the presence of Sonowal along with Visakhapatnam MP Mathukumili Sribharat, MLA (Visakhapatnam South) Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas, Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairman Madhaiyaan Angamuthu, IAS, and SCI Chairman and Managing Director Capt. B. K. Tyagi. Senior officials from SCI and VPA also attended the event.
