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.