Nascent Chinese shipyard Jiangxi New Jiangzhou Shipbuilding has revealed newbuilding contracts from two European companies worth $152m.
The shipyard — formerly Jiangzhou Union Shipbuilding — has signed for a series of multipurpose general cargo vessels with Germany’s Candler Schiffahrt, while Dutch owner Mercurius Shipping has ordered four stainless steel chemical tankers.
Candlers’ order for six 12,000-dwt MPPs was signed last week. Deliveries are scheduled for 2025 and 2026.
Jiangxi New Jiangzhou did not reveal the price, but said the design was developed by Shanghai Ship Research & Design Institute.
The ships, featuring double cargo holds for loading flexibility, will comply with the Energy Efficiency Design Index phase 3 rating and will be IMO Tier III NOx compliant.
Mercurius’ contract was sealed in March.
Although the yard did not disclose the size of the tankers, it said they will be classed by Lloyd’s Register and are due for 2025 and 2026 delivery.
Jiangxi New Jiangzhou was launched in March 2023 with a registered capital of CNY 50m ($6.9m). It is backed by Singapore-listed Yangzijiang Financial subsidiary Jiangsu Yangchuan Investment Development and Qinshi Group, which controls Bestway Marine & Energy Technology.
The reborn shipyard began taking in newbuilding contracts in December 2023, when domestic company Alita Shanghai ordered two 13,800-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers for delivery in 2025. The deal includes two options.
Ren Yuan Lin-led Yangzijiang Financial also contracted with the shipyard to build up to four shallow-draught 8,300-dwt intermodal bulk carriers for 2025 delivery.
The former Jiangzhou Union run into financial difficulties and stopped operating in 2018. Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network indicates that the yard specialised in building chemical tankers and MPP/heavylift vessels before it collapsed.
Jiangzhou delivered 70 vessels between 1983 and 2019 for Sloman Neptun Schiffahrts, Schulte Group, Briese Schiffahrt and others.
