SDS Shipping Pvt. Ltd. is a long-standing maritime service provider headquartered in Mumbai, India, specializing in port agency and vessel support services. Established in 1983, the company was founded by Captain Vinod Kumar Singh Saigal, a Master Mariner with prior experience at major Indian shipping organizations. Over the decades, the firm has evolved from its initial operations to become a comprehensive steamer agency house, providing on-ground representation for ship owners and operators across the Indian subcontinent.
The company’s historical trajectory includes a brief tenure in ship owning, where it managed its own tonnage for approximately five years. However, following shifts in the global maritime economy, SDS Shipping Pvt. Ltd. realigned its strategic focus exclusively toward agency and husbandry services. Since the late 2000s, the firm has concentrated on acting as a liaison between foreign vessel owners—particularly from Greece, Turkey, and the United States—and the complex regulatory environment of Indian ports.
Operationally, SDS Shipping Pvt. Ltd. maintains a wide geographic footprint. While its central command is located in Mumbai’s Nariman Point, its service network extends to all major and minor ports along the Indian coastline, including Kandla, Mundra, Chennai, Haldia, Paradip, and Visakhapatnam. Furthermore, the company facilitates vessel calls in neighboring nations, extending its reach to ports in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. This regional coverage allows the firm to offer a consolidated interface for principals trading across South Asia.
The core of its business involves Full Agency and Owners Protective Agency (OPA) roles. In these capacities, the company manages the logistical and administrative requirements of port calls, including customs compliance, cargo documentation, and port dues settlement. Beyond standard agency work, the firm provides extensive husbandry and technical support. These services encompass crew change coordination, clearing and delivery of ship spares, bunker supplies, and provisions. The company also assists with technical matters such as arranging class-approved underwater inspections, coordinating workshop repairs, and facilitating pre-purchase inspections for buyers.
SDS Shipping Pvt. Ltd. handles a diverse array of vessel types, ranging from bulk carriers and general cargo ships to tankers and product carriers. Its operational teams are experienced in managing varied commodities, including agricultural products, fertilizers, iron ore, coal, steel scrap, and liquid bulk cargoes, ensuring efficient turnaround times for vessels navigating the region’s busy maritime hubs.