Essar, which is expanding its business in the gulf region is currently executing three contracts for the supply and operation of three onshore oil drilling rigs awarded by the Qatar General Petroleum Corporation for a total value of $61.61 million. Recently it secured yet another contract valued at $24.26 million for the supply, operation and maintenance of the drilling equipment, provision of key personnel and technical 
expertise to carry out drilling operations. 
    In the shipping division, Essar Shipping owns and operates a diversified fleet with an average age of about 10 years consisting of 33 vessels (1.4 million dwt). Its six modern Suezmax double hull double bottom tankers have long-term charters with oil majors. 
    It continues to acquire modern tonnage to meet the group's own growing transportation needs and the larger trade volumes generated by India's economic liberalisation.
    ESL's Energy Transportation International division provides sea transportation management services to the global energy business to oil majors including Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Statoil. 
    ESL through its subsidiary VOTL has invested in building a crude oil reception, storage and refined product evacuation facility with an annual throughput capacity of 80 million barrels.