The private company, Ocean Sparkle Ltd (OSL) provides a full range of support services to incoming and departing ships such as pilotage, anchoring and berthing, while it also has a further interest in dredging contracts.
The company operates a harbour fleet of 82 vessels in 18 ports across India and has three joint ventures with the Port of Singapore Authority (Marine) in India and a joint venture in Oman. Further, it generated £26.4m of revenue and net profits of £5.2m in the financial year to March 31, 2009.
Eredene chief executive Alastair King said the acquisitions have been assisted by the company’s specialist ports team in India. “Port services is one of the key areas where we have developed strong local partnerships. We see Indian ports and related port services as a continuing strong growth story,” he added.