SCI Seeks Bids for Eight New Gas Carriers

30 Jan 2026 CW Team

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has invited bids to acquire eight new very large gas carriers (VLGCs), reinforcing its expansion plans while supporting India’s domestic shipbuilding industry.

According to the tender, six of the vessels must be constructed in India, while the remaining two can be built by international shipyards. The requirement aligns with the government’s policy push to strengthen local shipbuilding capacity and comply with Press Note 3 regulations governing foreign participation in sensitive sectors.

SCI has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to identify eligible bidders for the acquisition programme. The tender stipulates that bidders from countries sharing a land border with India must be registered with the Competent Authority, ensuring adherence to Press Note 3 restrictions. These measures are intended to regulate foreign investment and participation, particularly from countries subject to tighter scrutiny.

The tender reiterates the application of Press Note 3 provisions, which aim to safeguard national security and economic interests by limiting participation from certain foreign entities in strategic infrastructure projects. By enforcing these criteria, SCI seeks to ensure that only compliant and eligible bidders participate in the procurement process.

In the equity market, SCI’s shares were trading at Rs 199.19 on the National Stock Exchange at 9:18 AM on January 27, 2026, down by 1.26 per cent from the previous closing price.

The acquisition of eight new VLGCs reflects SCI’s strategic intent to enhance India’s maritime and energy transportation capabilities while reinforcing domestic shipbuilding and regulatory compliance. The move is expected to strengthen the country’s shipping infrastructure and support long-term growth in the gas transport segment.

Real Estate

02 Feb 2026

Union Budge: Infra-Led Urban Shift

The Union Budget FY27 reinforces infrastructure-led urbanisation as the backbone of India’s real estate and housing growth. Higher public capital expenditure, City Economic Regions, risk-mitigation mechanisms and REIT-led asset monetisation are being widely viewed as long-term enablers, even as the industry continues to seek sharper supply-side reforms and affordability-focused measures. Here are a few industry insights:Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO & Hiranandani Group“The Union Budget 2026-27 is growth-oriented and stability-focused, supporting consumption and aiming to s..

Budget 2026 Charts Path for Infrastructure-Led, Tech-Driven Growth

The Union Budget 2026–27 signals strong continuity in India’s macroeconomic strategy, anchored in elevated public capital expenditure, fiscal discipline, and a sharper focus on manufacturing, infrastructure, and regional development. With capital outlay pegged at ₹12.2 lakh crore and a fiscal deficit target of around 4.3 per cent, the Budget balances growth ambition with stability, offering long-term visibility to investors and project developers.A dominant theme is the centrality of infrastructure as a multiplier for economic expansion. Public capex now accounts for over 3.3 per cent of..

Tata Power Arm Crosses 10 GW EPC Milestone

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has achieved a major milestone by executing 10 gigawatts of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) renewable energy projects to date, reinforcing its position in India’s clean energy infrastructure sector. According to the company, the executed portfolio comprises 4.2 gigawatts of in-house projects and 5.8 gigawatts of third-party projects. Of the total 10 gigawatts commissioned so far, 9.7 gigawatts are solar projects and 290 megawatts are wind projects. In the first nine months of FY26, TPREL commissioned 1.88 gigawatts of EPC renewable en..