Chowgule Steamships Limited (CSL), was incorporated
in April 1963, with the main objective of meeting the transportation needs
of iron ore exports of Chowgule & Company Ltd., the parent company
of the Group. Initially, CSL started its operations with three liberty
type ships, which were soon replaced with modern bulk carriers to
respond to the emerging market needs.
With the changing fortunes of the steel industry and the corresponding
effects it brought about in the transportation of iron ore through larger
vessels, CSL's vessels had to start tramping in the international market.
By early 1980's, virtually all the ships of CSL were deployed on the international
cross trades.
CSL has constantly adopted to changing shipping scenario
by rationalising its fleet, acquiring modern fuel-efficient and market
oriented vessels. Over the years, CSL placed orders for new buildings
of Handysize and Panamax bulk carriers, mainly to participate in the
international tramping trade.
Another area in witch CSL's contribution to the national shiping has been
the coastal movement of cargo, particularly in responding to the needs
of the Groups's erstwhile cement company through transpottation of clinker
to the split plants at Ratnagiri as well as Magdalla. This has resulted
in the development of minor ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra which certanily
has provided a path for others to follow.
During the four decades of existence, CSL had a number of FIRST in the
Shiping Sectors, viz. the first Indian bulk carrier built for an Indian
owner named M.V.Maratha Progress was for the account of CSL. Similarly,the
first Indian phosphoric acid carrier , converted out of a dry bulk carrier,
was also the brain child of CSL.
CSL's Overseas fleet tonnage totals to 297677 DWT consisting
of the four Panamax vessels, with an average age of 7 years as against
the world average age of over 15 years. The vessels are engaged in voyage
and time charters with reputed international charterers, moving bulk
cargoes like iron ore, grain, coal, fertilizers etc.
CSL's coastal fleet consists of four mini bulk carriers totaling to 10603 DWT.
The average age of this vessels is less than 6.5 years. The vessels are primarily
servicing a contract for ocean - transportation of one million tones of cement
clinkers on the West Coast India (Jafrabad to Magdalla and Ratnagiri). To take
full advantage of growing opportunities in the coastal sector, from time to time
these vessels also participate in movement of other cargoes like bauxite, Industrial
salt etc.
During the last four decades of the Company's business, it has built a
team of experienced professionals to meet the challenges of a promising
future of the shipping industry, particularly for the dry bulk sector.
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