SCI Seeks Bids for Eight New Gas Carriers

02 Feb 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

28 Feb 2026

Casagrand Launches Keystone In Tiruppur

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Keystone, a gated residential development at Rakkiyapalayam, off Avinashi Road, in Tiruppur. Spread across 2.2 acres, the B+G+5 structure comprises 142 units of 2 and 3 BHK homes, supported by 48 indoor and outdoor amenities. The project is introduced at a starting price of Rs 5,199 per sq. ft. The development allocates 1.3 acres to open space, including a central park of about 24,500 sq. ft. A 6,800 sq. ft. clubhouse includes a multipurpose hall, mini theatre and indoor recreation facilities. Other amenities include a 5,100 sq. ft. swimming pool, poolside par..

Premium homes account for half of India’s housing sales in 2025

Knight Frank India, in its latest report on India’s office and residential property market, has highlighted a significant shift in housing demand, with homes priced above Rs 10 million accounting for 50 per cent of total residential sales across the top eight cities in 2025. The findings underscore the growing dominance of premium housing in the country’s real estate landscape.Out of 348,247 residential units sold during the year, approximately 175,091 units were in the Rs 10 million-plus category, marking a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. The data reflects changing buyer preferences, w..

Xbattery launches XB-5K energy storage system for homes, offices

Xbattery, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech company specialising in next-generation energy storage and battery management technologies, has introduced its flagship XB-5K, a scalable 5kWh energy storage system designed for homes and offices in India.The XB-5K is built on the company’s indigenously developed BharatBMS platform, described as India’s first universal high-voltage battery management system architecture aimed at reducing import dependence and improving after-sales service capabilities. The launch comes as India seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and address reliance on imported..