Indian conglomerate Darwin Platform Group of Companies (DPGC) has emerged as a surprise bidder for Shipping Corp of India (SCI), with what it calls an "aggressive" bid.

The government's deadline for offers for a 63.75% stake in the state shipowner expired on 1 March.

Domestic company Megha Engineering and Infrastructure also confirmed a bid, joining a list including Great Eastern Shipping, Safesea Group, Vedanta Resources, Seven Islands Shipping and a consortium comprising Exmar, GMS and Foresight Group.