<h4 data-path-to-node="3"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">MUMBAI — State-Owned Shipping Giant Floats $720 Million Tender for 8,000 TEU Dual-Fuel Cellular Containerships to Build Sovereign Fleet Tonnage and Decarbonize Trade Corridors</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="4">In a landmark move to bolster national tonnage sovereignty and drive green maritime transitions, the state-run <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="111">Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI)</b> has officially issued its largest-ever global invitation to tender for the construction of up to six 8,000 TEU dual-fuel LNG-ready cellular container vessels. Valued at approximately <b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="335">USD 720 million (₹6,858 crore)</b>, the mega-procurement comprises two firm vessel orders with an option for four additional sister ships, representing a cornerstone initiative in India’s Amrit Kaal maritime roadmap.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="6"><b data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="0">Key Tender Specifications &amp; Bidding Mandates</b></h3><ol start="1" data-path-to-node="7"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Vessel Capacity &amp; Technical Configuration:</b></p><ul data-path-to-node="7,0,1"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Payload Rating:</b> Each vessel will feature a minimum intake of <b data-path-to-node="7,0,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="61">8,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs)</b> rated at 14 tonnes per TEU, fitted with vertical guide rails and cellular slots to optimize container stacking.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Propulsion &amp; Fuel Versatility:</b> Built with advanced dual-fuel LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) propulsion systems, the ships will meet stringent IMO Tier III nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission standards and Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 parameters, significantly lowering carbon intensity across deep-sea loops.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,1,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,1,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Cargo Flexibility:</b> Designed for unrestricted global service, the hulls will accommodate dry cargo boxes, high-cube refrigerated containers (reefers), and certified IMDG dangerous cargo units.</p></li></ul></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Domestic Shipbuilding Preference &amp; Technical Collaboration:</b></p><ul data-path-to-node="7,1,1"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Right of First Refusal (RoFR):</b> Under national <i data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="46">Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India)</i> mandates, domestic Indian shipyards—such as Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)—will retain the Right of First Refusal to match the lowest foreign bid and secure the contract.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Technology Partnering Rules:</b> Indian yards lacking prior independent experience in constructing 8,000 TEU cellular container ships are allowed to participate via formal joint ventures or technical agreements with reputed international shipyards. The foreign partner must have delivered at least two operational cellular vessels of minimum 5,000 TEU capacity within the past ten years.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,1,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,1,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">No Sub-Contracting:</b> The tender strictly mandates that all construction must occur directly at the bidder's or partner's primary shipyard facility, explicitly prohibiting partial or full subcontracting.</p></li></ul></li></ol><h3 data-path-to-node="9"><b data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="0">Strategic Context &amp; Fleet Renewal Push</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="10">The $720 million container ship tender is the latest in a multi-billion-dollar fleet modernization campaign orchestrated by SCI under the administrative guidance of the <b data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="169">Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways</b>. This initiative follows SCI's previous $360 million tender for six 1,700 TEU methanol dual-fuel feeder container vessels and a $300–$340 million tender for methanol dual-fuel Aframax crude oil tankers.</p><p data-path-to-node="11">The primary objective is to address India's long-standing reliance on foreign ocean carrier alliances for handling EXIM trade. Currently, foreign-flagged liners carry over 90% of India's containerized sea trade, exposing domestic exporters and importers to volatile freight spot rates and unexpected emergency surcharges during global chokepoint disruptions.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="14"><b data-path-to-node="14" data-index-in-node="0">Industry &amp; Policy Impact</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="15">By deploying sovereign 8,000 TEU vessels on key trade loops linking India to West Asia, Europe, and South Asian regional hubs, SCI aims to provide price stability and guaranteed slot allocations for Indian manufacturing clusters.</p><p data-path-to-node="16">"This flagship tender directly supports our target of expanding India's national fleet capacity and establishing indigenous shipbuilding excellence," highlighted Binesh Kumar Tyagi, Chairman &amp; Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India. "Acquiring dual-fuel, eco-friendly tonnage ensures that Indian shipping remains globally competitive, resilient against fuel market shocks, and aligned with the country's broader ambition to become a top-five global maritime power by 2047."</p>