TCI Seaways, a division of Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCI), has taken delivery of a 500 TEU container vessel, TCI SETU, on October 29, 2026, strengthening its coastal shipping capacity and multimodal logistics operations.
With a deadweight capacity of approximately 7,300 metric tonnes, TCI SETU is the seventh vessel in the company’s fleet of six existing ships. The addition is expected to enhance its ability to meet India’s growing coastal freight requirements, particularly along the East Coast, connecting Chennai, Visakhapatnam, the Andaman Islands and Myanmar.
Built by China’s Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering Co. Ltd., the vessel has been designed for operational reliability, economic efficiency and low-carbon performance. The vessel represents an investment of ₹178.8 crore, funded entirely through internal accruals, and is the first of two ships contracted from the shipyard.
TCI Managing Director Vineet Agarwal said coastal shipping would be a critical pillar of India’s future logistics infrastructure, adding that the company aims to integrate shipping with its road and rail capabilities to develop a cost-effective and environmentally responsible transport network.
In Port Blair, the vessel’s addition could strengthen cargo connectivity with mainland ports, particularly Chennai and Visakhapatnam, supporting freight movement to the Andaman Islands and improving logistics efficiency for regional businesses.
TCI Seaways said it would continue investing in modern vessel technology, fleet expansion and multimodal connectivity.
