Propane and butane are generally referred to as LPG, liquefied petroleum gas. Propane and butane are liquefied by compressing and cooling them. LPG is transported in LPG carriers which may be pressurised and/or refrigerated.

In June 2007 the company acquired a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) with cargo carrying capacity of 76,644 cbm. This is the largest LPG carrier in Indian fleet. We are the first Indian shipping Company to acquire a VLGC.

Varun together with its associate is the largest owner of LPG tonnage in India in terms of both fleet size and cargo carrying capacity, constituting approximately 78 per cent of the aggregate cargo carrying capacity of LPG carriers operating under the Indian flag.

As on date, the aggregate cargo carrying capacity of our fleet of 4 LPG carriers is 176,736dwt
(204, 968m3).

All the LPG carriers are deployed on a mix of time charters and spot charters, with charterers such as   Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Reliance Industries Limited and Pertamina.

Click here to view the LPG chain

The Company participates in the seaborne transportation of liquid cargo globally by owning and chartering out crude oil tankers on time charter, voyage charter or in a pool arrangement.  We have, servicing this sector, a fleet of 3 crude oil tankers with a cargo carrying capacity of 319,682 dwt.


Click here to view the Oil chain

In the offshore sector, we offer our Anchor Handling Towing and Supply (AHTS) vessels to oil and gas companies operating offshore, for their exploration, production and development of oil and natural gas. Our AHTS’s are used for different phases of offshore operations. The functions they perform include towing and mooring oil rigs and platforms to required locations where oil and gas exploration or production is carried out and transporting crew, cargo and supplies (including provisions).The company with a view to expand its asset base in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, also acquired five modern and highly sophisticated 2001 to 2009 built AHTS vessels, viz Subhiksha, Sudaksha, Suvarna, Subhadra and Suchandra during the period from January, 2007 to April, 2009. These vessels are the most powerful AHTS vessels with highest bollard pull under Indian flag. These vessels are capable of operating in North Sea, Krishna Godavari basin ,Bay of Bengal and the Atlantic Ocean, off the coasts of Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico. In addition to these vessels, the company also operates two more AHTS vessels on Bareboat Charter cum Demise basis.

The company has committed its 3 large AHTS vessels on time charter to Petrobras, Brazil for a firm period of four years with four extension options of one year each. The other 2 large AHTS vessels are working in the North Sea spot market.