Global Ocean Trade: Latest Shipbuilding Orders

Newbuilding activity has continued at a steady pace this week with a number of new orders reported across dry bulk ships and tankers by Clarkson Hellas in their latest S&P Weekly Bulletin, as follows:

Dry bulk carriers
Tsuneishi have taken an order at their Cebu facility in the Philippines for a total of three 81,600 DWT Kamsarmax for Japanese buyers. Nissen Kaiun declared two further options taking their total series on order to five vessels, with an additional order for a single unit by Hisafuku Kisen – all due for delivery in 2016.

In the smaller sizes, China Navigation announced an order for four firm 38,000 DWT Handysize at Imabari, with delivery planned for 2017.

Clarkson Hellas note that a yet unknown Greek buyer has contracted one firm plus up to four option 15,500 DWT Self-Unloaders at Nantong Rainbow. Understood to be for use carrying rock salt, delivery is planned within 2016.

Additionally Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) have announced an order for four firm 260,000 DWT VLOCs at an unconfirmed Chinese shipyard for delivery from the final quarter of 2016.

Tankships
Clarkson Hellas report another relatively quiet week in tankers. General Dynamics NASSCO announced that American Petroleum Tankers have declared an option for a fifth 50,000 DWT MR product carrier, with delivery of the latest unit due in the second quarter of 2017.

In Japan, Fukuoka are understood to have taken an order for two firm 25,000 DWT stainless chemical tankers from Greathorse Chemical, with delivery in 2017.

Terntank announced the declaration of two further 15,000 DWT chemical tankers at AVIC Dingheng, taking the series to four units. As with the firm vessels, the options will have LNG dual fuel propulsion, with delivery in the later part of 2016 and into 2017.

Heavy lift ships
In other sectors, COSCO Shipping (COSCOL) have ordered three firm 48,200 DWT Semi-Sub/Heavy Lift vessels at Huangpu Wenchong, with delivery due in 2016.

Source: Clarkson Hellas S&P Weekly Bulletin