Chowgule Steamships Ltd - Stock Valuation and Financial Performance

Chowgule Steamships Limited (CSL), part of the 1500 crore and 92 year old Chowgule Group of companies from Goa, was incorporated in April 1963. The company is principally engaged in the carriage of goods by sea, and is committed to serve its customers to their satisfaction and mutual optimum benefits.

CSL is a private sector shipping company which presently owns and operates a fleet of 6 vessels (including that of its wholly owned subsidiaries) for seaborne transportation of bulk cargoes. It started its operations with three liberty type ships, which were soon replaced with modern bulk carriers to respond to the emerging market needs.

The company is the part of Chowgule Group which made its beginning in 1961, Chowgules are leaders in a range of critical activities in the core sector of India’s Industry: Iron Ore Mining, Pelletization, Exports, Shipbuilding, Cranes, Ship owners operating in the International Tramp Trade, Industrial Explosives, Industrial Salt, Industrial Gases, Waterproofing products, Agency, Logistics, Insurance Services and Marketing Agencies.

With the changing fortunes of the steel industry and the corresponding effects the company 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. Over the years, CSL placed orders for new buildings of Handysize and Panamax bulk cariers, mainly to participate in the international tramping trade.

Another area in which CSL’s contribution to the national shipping has been the coastal movement of cargo, particularly in responding to the needs of the Group’s erstwhile cement company through transportation 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 certainly has provided a path for others to follow.

CSL’s International fleet tonnage including that of its wholly owned foreign subsidiary totals to 1,91,696 DWT consisting of two Panamx vessels and one handymax vessel with an average age of 13 years. The vessels are engaged in time charters with reputed international charterers, moving bulk cargoes like iron ore, grain, coal, fertilizers, etc.

CSL’s Coastal fleet consists of three mini bulk carriers totalling to 8,980 DWT. The average age of these vessels is 10 years. These vessels participate in coastal movement of cargoes like cement clinker, bauxite, steel coils, food grains, industrial salt, etc.

Chowgule Ports and Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. (CPIPL), a company co-promoted by CSL has recently signed a concession Agreement with the Govt. of Maharashtra for development of Port & Ship Repair Infrastructure at Jaigad, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. CPIPL is a Special purpose vehicle (SPV) Company with the participation of other Chowgule Group Companies and Strategic Partners.

Fleet profile

International Fleets- CSL’s International fleet tonnage including that of its wholly owned foreign subsidiary totals to 1,91,696 DWT consisting of two Panamx vessels and one handymax vessel with an average age of 13 years. The vessels are engaged in time charters with reputed international charterers, moving bulk cargoes like iron ore, grain, coal, fertilizers, etc.

Coastal Fleets –CSL’s Coastal fleet consists of three mini bulk carriers totalling to 8,980 DWT. The average age of these vessels is 10 years. These vessels participate in coastal movement of cargoes like cement clinker, bauxite, steel coils, food grains, industrial salt, etc.