Shanghai: Swire group's deep sea shipping arm, China Navigation Company (CNCo), has ordered eight 31,000dwt multipurpose vessels for delivery between January and August 2013 from Zhejiang Ouhua Shipbuilding. The contract, which is valued at a total of US$300m, also contains provisions for up to an additional eight optional vessels in continuation.
"These vessels will be deployed to enhance or replace existing vessels deployed in our own liner trades", said Richard Kendall, CNCo md. "We have particularly focussed on designing a vessel that is capable of appropriate cargo handling and speed performance to operate successfully in a scheduled liner trade, while delivering ground-breaking fuel efficiency at normal operating speeds", he added. CNCo currently operates 29 vessels, of which 17 are owned, in its owned and managed liner trades in the Asia Pacific region under the Swire Shipping, Tasman Orient, New Guinea Pacific Line and Greater Bali Hai brands.
The newly-ordered vessels, which are fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, are rated to carry 2082teu (147 refrigerated), but are also designed to carry general cargo, steel, project cargo, agricultural products and dry bulk cargoes. They will carry 31,000 dwt on 10.5m draft with a design speed of 15.5kts, but with capability of 19kts on 20,000 dwt. The LOA is 199m, beam is 28.2m and depth 15.5m.
"We are delighted to have won this newbuilding order from China Navigation", said Qiao Weihai, Chairman and General Manager of Ouhua. "We have developed expertise in building multipurpose vessels for other owners, and are confident of building this order on time and to China Navigation's expectations", he added.
Founded in 1872, CNCo moved its head office from Hong Kong to Singapore at the end of 2009 and - in addition to its liner trade interests - owns a panamax bulk carrier transfer vessel, Erawan, a joint venture (Swire CTM Bulk Logistics Ltd) in the bulk transloading industry, and is a shareholder in the CBC capesize and panamax bulk fleet. [29/12/10]
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