ONGC Launches Vendor Empanelment for Offshore Vessels

13 Jan 2025 CW Team

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) has initiated a vendor empanelment process for hiring offshore vessels, including platform supply vessels (PSV), offshore supply vessels (OSV), and anchor handling tug cum supply (AHTS) vessels. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to expedite procurement by streamlining tender processes. India’s largest oil and gas explorer has invited applications for empanelment, allowing pre-qualified vendors to participate in limited tenders for vessel chartering. ONGC emphasised the importance of early empanelment to minimise documentation during future tenders, thus reducing processing times. The first phase focuses on PSVs with 3,000 DWT, OSVs with 1,500 DWT, and AHTS vessels with Bollard Pull capacities of 80, 120, and 150 tons. Vendors can apply for one or more categories. Even those without vessels can qualify by meeting the technical Bid Evaluation Criteria (BEC) and offering vessels at the tender stage. During a pre-bid meeting on January 6, ONGC encouraged bidders to pre-qualify all their vessels, even those currently engaged in contracts, to ensure a faster bidding process. Applications must be submitted by January 23, though the empanelment process will remain open year-round. ONGC typically requires 79 offshore vessels for its operations—71 on the west coast and 8 on the east coast. The empanelment process is expected to be completed within 90 days. Eleven entities, including Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, Alphard Logistics Pvt Ltd, Greatship (India) Ltd, and international players like Zakher Marine International (Abu Dhabi) and Wintermar Offshore Marine Group (Indonesia), have shown preliminary interest. The empanelment period will align with the validity of BEC-related documents. ONGC will notify empanelled vendors of any post-empanelment tender condition changes, requiring their acceptance during subsequent limited tenders. Vendors must participate in at least one tender or provide justification for non-participation, subject to ONGC’s approval. This initiative, aimed at expediting vessel chartering, is the first step in ONGC’s broader strategy to apply similar processes for other goods and services in the future. (ET)

Infrastructure Transport

01 Sep 2025

Indian Railways Marks New Milestone with 4.5 km Long ‘Rudrastra’ Trial

Indian Railways has successfully conducted the trial run of Asia’s longest freight train, named ‘Rudrastra’, achieving a new milestone in cargo transportation, as per news reports. The 4.5 km-long train began its trial from Ganjkhwaja railway station in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, and travelled to Garhwa in Jharkhand. Covering a distance of 209 km in 5 hours and 10 minutes, it maintained an average speed of 40.5 km per hour. The train was formed by combining three long-haul racks, with ..

UltraTech Launches India’s First On-Site Hybrid RTC Renewable Energy Project

UltraTech Cement has operationalised a 7.5 MW round-the-clock (RTC) hybrid renewable energy project at its Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The first-of-its-kind solution combines bifacial solar modules with trackers, wind energy and battery storage, co-located on-site, to ensure uninterrupted power for cement manufacturing without grid reliance. The project was executed in collaboration with clean energy solutions provider Gentari. Installed as a behind-the-meter system, it is the country..

Patna Metro Trials Successful, Red Line Priority Corridor to Launch This Month

Patna is set to roll out its first metro rail service later this month, with successful trial runs conducted on the Red Line priority corridor, the Patna Metro Rail Corporation announced.On 7 September, a metro train completed a test run between the Patna depot and Bhootnath station. Officials said the trials involved rigorous checks of rolling stock fitness, overhead electrification (OHE), and track alignment and stability to ensure operational safety and performance.The corridor from the New Pataliputra Bus Terminal to Bhoothnath has been designated as the priority stretch and will be the fi..