Far East Shipyards Bag the Week's Newbuilding Orders

South Korea, Japan and China shipyards update their order books with a clean haul of ocean-going newbuilding contracts, detailed as follows in the latest Clarkson Hellas S&P Weekly Bulletin.

Drybulk carriers
Clarkson Hellas report a few orders in dry, starting with the American fund Doonbeg Group ordering four firm plus four option 64,000 DWT Ultramax at Zhejiang Yangfan in China for delivery in 2015 and 2016 for the firm vessels. (This order is understood to have been signed last month, although it came to light this week).

Another order which came to light this week was from Clients of Neda Maritime contracting four firm 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax with Tsuneishi Zhoushan at the end of last year. Delivery of the vessels will be within the 2nd half of 2016.

Also, it is understood by Clarkson Hellas that clients of Sincere Navigation have declared an option for its 2nd 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax at Jiangsu New YZJ for delivery in the 2nd quarter in 2015.

Tankships
Limited activity in the tanker market, and just one order to report, Lyras Maritime have declared one option for 115,000 DWT LR2 Tanker at Sungdong in Korea, due for delivery in 2016. This option is understood to have been declared earlier in March this year.

Gas carriers
Clients of GasLog have declared two options for their 5th and 6th 174,000 CBM LNG Carrier at Samsung Heavy Industries. Both units will be delivered in 2017 and GasLog will have further two options plus another two options.

Another LNG Carrier order to report from Japan, with NYK contracting one 155,300 CBM at compatriot shipyard Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for delivery in 2017. It is understood that this vessel will go on long term charter to TEPCO.

Clarkson Hellas add that Sinopacific Offshore in China have signed a couple of contracts including  for two firm 27,500 CBM LPG/LEG Carriers with Evergas and three firm 36,000 CBM LPG/LEG Carriers with Ocean Yield. All of the vessels are planned to be delivered in 2016.

Multi-purpose ships
Finally in general cargo, it came to light that clients of Briese-Schiffahrts have placed an order for two firm 12,500 DWT MPPs at Jiangzhou Shipyard for delivery in 2016. These vessels are understood to be the same type that was ordered by Auberbach- Schiffahrts at the same yard last month.

Source: Clarkson Hellas S&P Weekly Bulletin