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Greek owners order 142 newbuilds in China

Greek owners order 142 newbuilds in China
Greek shipowners have ordered 142 newbuildings at Chinese yards recently according to the country’s Shipping Minister Kostis Mousouroulis.

Official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported Mousouroulis as saying that the orders were placed in April and accounted for 60% of newbuilding contracts by Greek owners worldwide.

The Minister was speaking in Beijing on Saturday towards the end of an official visit to China by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. Chinese banks have become a major source of funding for Greek owners ordering newbuildings at Chinese yards.

Mousouroulis saw China remaining an important exporter over the next decade as well as becoming an increasingly major importer.

On Friday Samaras met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and two leaders pledged further cooperation.

"(We) look forward to closer cooperation between the two sides on trade, shipping, culture and tourism," Xi said.