Essar Shipping (ESL) announced that it had taken delivery of a 2005 built double-hull, double-bottom, Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) today at Hong Kong. Built in IHI Japan, the vessel is 330 metres long and 60 metres wide with a cargo capacity of 281,396 DWT . This is the most modern vessel to join Essar's fleet. The vessel will fly the Indian flag and will be compliant with all the IMO and other statutory regulations.

With the acquisition of this vessel, ESL's fleet size has gone up to 27, with the total tonnage increasing to 1.3 million DWT. The Company has an enviable track record of accident free/pollution free transportation of crude oil. Essar Shipping has been recognized as "The Safest Indian Shipping Company " and " Most Quality Conscious Indian Shipping Company" by DG Shipping .

About Essar Shipping

ESL is a leading sea transportation shipping and logistics company with significant expertise in crude oil transportation management services and sea transportation and supply chain management services to industries such as steel, cement, petroleum, fertilizer and power.

About Essar Group

Essar Shipping is part of the Essar Group, which is one of India's largest corporate houses with interests spanning the manufacturing and service sectors like Steel, Oil & Gas, Power, Telecom, Information Technology, Shipping and Construction. The Group has an asset base of over Rs.23, 000 crore and employs over 12000 people.