Japanese Shipyard Orders Soar

Japanese shipyards received foreign orders for 25 vessels totaling 955,050 grt in February, up from five orders totaling 271,200 grt in February last year, the Japan Ship Exporters' Association said. The level was up 89.1 percent from February 1998. Of the total, six orders were for handysize carriers, 10 for handymax, one for Panamax, three for Capesize, two for lumber carriers, and two for passenger carriers, the association said.