India's SCI Launches Tender for Up to Six LNG Dual-Fuel Container Vessels
Key Takeaways
- •SCI's tender covers two confirmed vessel orders with options for four additional ships, each specified at 8,000 TEU capacity and capable of operating on both LNG and conventional marine fuels.
- •Foreign shipyards must demonstrate prior delivery of at least two container vessels exceeding 5,000 TEU within the past ten years, while inexperienced Indian shipyards must partner with established international builders of LNG dual-fuel vessels.
- •Bid evaluation will consider delivery schedule, bunker fuel consumption, service speed, and cargo-carrying capacity, with a virtual pre-bid meeting on 18 August and submissions due by 31 August.
- •The procurement supports compliance with the IMO's 2023 revised greenhouse gas strategy targeting net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
- •The tender reflects India's broader policy push under Maritime India Vision 2030 to position domestic shipyards for higher-value, technologically advanced vessel construction projects.
India's SCI Launches Tender for Up to Six LNG Dual-Fuel Container Vessels
Published: 6 August 2026
India's state-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has issued a tender for the construction of up to six LNG dual-fuel container vessels, marking a significant step in the company's fleet modernization efforts.
The tender comprises two firm orders and options for four additional vessels, according to the official tender notice. Each vessel is specified to have a capacity of 8,000 TEU and must be capable of operating on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and conventional marine fuels.
SCI, headquartered in Mumbai and operating under India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is the country's largest government-owned shipping company. The move toward LNG dual-fuel vessels aligns with broader industry efforts to comply with increasingly stringent International Maritime Organization (IMO) emissions regulations. In 2023, the IMO adopted a revised greenhouse gas strategy targeting net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, accelerating demand for dual-fuel and alternative-propulsion vessels across the global fleet.
For India, the tender also reflects a parallel policy push to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity. Under initiatives such as Maritime India Vision 2030, the government has sought to position Indian shipyards for higher-value, technologically advanced vessel construction.
Eligibility Criteria
The tender is open to both Indian and foreign shipyards, provided they satisfy SCI's technical and financial eligibility requirements.
Foreign shipyards must demonstrate a track record of having delivered at least two container vessels exceeding 5,000 TEU that are currently in active service, with deliveries occurring within the past ten years.
Indian shipyards lacking prior experience in constructing container vessels are required to form partnerships with established international shipyards that have previously built LNG dual-fuel vessels. This partnership mechanism is designed to facilitate technology transfer while enabling Indian yards to participate in complex newbuilding projects.
Bid Evaluation and Timeline
SCI will evaluate bids based on multiple criteria, including delivery schedule, bunker fuel consumption, service speed, and cargo-carrying capacity.
A virtual pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 18 August, providing prospective bidders an opportunity to seek clarification on tender requirements. All bids must be submitted by 31 August.
Source: ENGINE,
