Mumbai / Kolkata : Amongst the largest privately held shipping companies in India, Apeejay Shipping, belonging to the Apeejay Group, has taken delivery of the third and final vessel, APJ Shirin, of the series of three bulk carriers each of 57,000 Deadweight tonnage (dwt) ordered with Chinese shipyard, Cosco Shipyards Group Company, in early 2009 for a total value of approximately USD 130 million.

With this acquisition, the company's tonnage jumps to more than 4, 00,000 dwt, comprising seven vessels, all bulk carriers.

At a function recently at the Guangdong shipyard, Mr. Karan Paul, Chairman of Apeejay Shipping, in the presence of other members of his family and senior officials of company, took delivery of the vessel, which has been deployed on its maiden voyage.

Inquiries reveal that the company is mulling acquisition of two more bulk carriers, likely to be one supramax and one panamax, but both carriers will be second hand.

In October 2005, Apeejay Shipping had bought two second-hand vessels, APJ Jad (2002 built ultra handymax, 52,454 dwt) and APJ Suryavir (1990 built panamax, 71,037 dwt). In March 2009, APJ Mahalaxmi (1985 built Panamax, 67,354 dwt) was added to the fleet.

Right now, APJ Mahalaxmi and APJ Akhil (1989 built, handymax 45,757 dwt) are both deployed in coastal trade, carrying coal on behalf of Poompuhar Shipping, the Tamil Nadu Government shipping company, according to the sources.