Mumbai: The Shipping Corporation Of India (SCI) is planning to place order for 31 vessels valued at around Rs1,280.71 crore in the current fiscal, shipping minister T R Baalu told the Lok Sabha.

He said SCI has so far placed orders for construction of six vessels in this fiscal, which will be delivered between 2010-11 and the 12 vessels ordered in 2005-06 will be delivered between 2008-10.

The shipping giant had floated global tenders for the acquisition of 16 vessels, of which tenders for six vessels have been finalised.

Baalu said nine firms have evinced interest in constructing an international size shipyard in the east coast of the country while three have shown interest for building one in the west coast.