About Us
Our Journey
Our History
The Foresight Group was founded on September 4 1984, as our founder realized his ambition of creating his own business. From those simple but ambitious beginning the company has grown into the multi-billion dollar empire that it is today.
Every bit of the company has been built from scratch, first by our founder and then with the help of the leadership team that works with his guidance. What started as a shipping company has, over the decades, made strategic diversification moves that have seen the organisation morph into the global business house that it is today.
The earliest expansion into a new business line came through Dr Mehrotra’s exposure to oil trading, which built his energy industry expertise and lead to the company buying its first jack-up rig in 1989. Subsequent investments, including a $600m purchase of three purpose built jack-up rigs, has seen the company establish Foresight Offshore Drilling as a standalone entity successfully delivering on contracts for international oil majors.
Bold moves were also made to push the company into less familiar territory and buffer the group against the cyclical nature of the global shipping industry. In 1992 a joint venture in China saw the firm begin its journey into hospitality, developing China’s first Indian restaurant and created a brand “The Tandoor” which for 25 years operated 5 Indian Restaurants across China out of which 2 were awarded Michelin’s status. In 2020 as part of realignment of group’s strategy the division was sold.
In 1999 the group also developed a manufacturing presence in India building skills and partnerships in the footwear materials & component manufacturing to support exports for India under its subsidiary GTFC Limited based in Chennai-India the business was set-up in technical collaboration with global industry leader Rhenoflex GMBH based in Germany, GTFC LIMITED today is India’s largest manufacturer & supplier of footwear materials for the exporters of footwear from India and its manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu India employs more than 250 people and business is reporting a CAGR growth of 15%.
In 2008 the group set-up a joint venture with UK’s leading footwear retailers Pavers Limited to develop a consumer brand “Pavers England” focused on India’s dynamic growth opportunity of consumer demand for fashion accessories. Pavers England in 2012 received India’s #1 single brand Foreign Direct Investment approval and have since then developed the brand.
Our international track record of Safety & Excellence
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1984
The Foresight Group was founded on 5th Sep in London.
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1985
operated the famous crude oil tanker shuttle service during the Iran-Iraq war
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1986
purchased its first multipurpose tweendecker ‘Amer Kanti’
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1986
won its first sulphur trading contract with a Govt of India company
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1987
purchased its first VLCC tanker ‘M V Trade Reliance’ for use in the shuttle tanker service
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1989
purchased its first bulk carrier
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1989
bought its first jack-up rig to start the Drilling business
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1989
Built two own refer vessels “Amer Fuji” and “Amer Himalaya” in Japan.
1984 - 1993
The Early Years
1992
Signed joint venture to set-up China’s first Indian fine dining Restaurant in Shanghai.
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
1994
Opened “The Tandoor” China’s first Indian food restaurant in Shanghai, as part of our Private Equity Investment.
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
1994
purchased another large Reefer ship ‘Amer Everest’
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
1998
purchased FDV, a niche shallow-water rig
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
1998
Introduced the group’s first high yield bond issue worth US$100mln in USA.
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
2000
Foresight’s Private Equity division invested in Chennai based GTFC LIMITED which has developed into India’s largest manufacturer and supplier of footwear materials & components.
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
2001
Fully accredited “Amer Maritime Training Academy” was set-up in Kanpur,India to train future sailors.
1994 - 2003
The Diversification Years
2002
The Group successfully completed the restructuring of the bond issue and managed to retain 100% ownership of its reefer fleet.
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2005
acquired two German-built container ships to expand its shipping business
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2006
Acquired two Aframax tankers that were successfully in operation till Dec-2021.
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2006
GTFC Limited set-up global footwear sourcing & quality assurance business in India & China which now manages more than 1.5million pairs per annum for UK & European brands.
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2006
profitably sold its two container ships to a German company
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2007
purchased its fourth jack-up rig
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2008
Profitably sold all the Reefer ships, just ahead of the financial crisis
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
208
As part of our Private Equity investment, in joint venture with UK’s leading footwear retailer Pavers Limited, established a consumer footwear brand ‘Pavers England” in India. The Company received India’s first FDI clearance in 2012 and operates retail stores and e-commerce across the country.
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2010
successfully refurbished and renewed its fourth jack-up rig
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2012
purchased its fifth jack-up rig
2004 - 2013
The Growth Years
2013
expanded its Drilling division with an order for three new jack-up rigs
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2016
successfully delivered two jack-up rigs and commenced operation for ONGC India
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2017
Consolidated the offshore drilling business with fleet of 5 own jack-up rigs.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2017
Centralized global operational head quarter at Dubai - UAE.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2018
Purchased a VLCC tanker and successfully operated for oil majors.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2019
Started onshore oil Drilling division and secured a contract with Oil India for 2000 HP land rig.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2019
took delivery of the third new-built jack-up rig and commenced a contract with ADNOC
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2019
Acquired 2013 build Keppels offshore jack-up rig and commenced contract with ADNOC in 2020
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2019
Formed joint venture “Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure Pvt Ltd” with one of India’s most respected and successful 100 year old business Group Padmanabh Mafatlal Group for the development of Bhavnagar Port in Gujarat. .
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2020
Bhavnagar Port received LOI for 30+45 years concession from Gujarat Maritime Board to develop & operate the Port along with setting up World’s first CNG Terminal.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2020
commenced building the world’s first CNG terminal
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2020
finalized technical collaboration with 150-year-old Royal Boskalis Westminster N. V. Netherlands.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2021
finalized collaboration with ABS (American Shipping Bureau) for CNG Marine Transportation solutions
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2021
developed its Global Drilling HO in Abu Dhabi, UAE
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2021
FDIX commenced contract with ONGC
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2021
Foresight Shipping forayed into LPG Shipping with acquisition of Surya Veerya.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2022
Acquired our second VLGC Surya Veerya
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2022
BPIPL announced the Ground-breaking Ceremony of the Brownfield Bhavnagar Port Project by Hon' Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2022
Acquired our third VLGC Vishvakarmaa
2014 - 2024
Strengthening Sustainability
2022
Acquired our fourth VLGC ‘Mansarovar’
Our team will be pleased to assist you with your queries