SCI, Coal India to set up JV soon: SCI Chief

State-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) today said it has signed an agreement with Coal India for a possible joint venture for transporting thermal coal.

"We have already signed an MoU with Coal India for transportation of thermal coal last month. We hope to sign the deal for the JV during this calender year," SCI Managing Director and Chairman S Hajara told reporters here.

Currently, the country imports 80 million tonnes of thermal coal, which is expected to go up to 200 million tonne in next 4-5 years and SCI wants to tap this huge opportunity, he said.

However, Hajara did not provide any details on the stake holding pattern of the JV.

Both the PSUs are looking to appoint consultants for the JV and will file a Detailed Project Report (DPR) soon, he said.

Initially, after the JV is formed, SCI will handle 6 million tonnes of thermal coal that will be imported by Coal India and will soon scale it up to 20 million tonnes, he said.

On SCI's plan to pick minority stake in a private ship building company, Hajara said they will start the due diligence soon.

"Four private companies -- ABG Shipyard, Bharti Shipyard, Gujarat Pipavav and Good Earth -- have already sent an expression of interest to SCI for selling their minority stakes. We will start the due diligence soon," he said.