Yangzijiang Shipbuilding has confirmed orders for two LNG-tank carriers and two supramax bulkers in deals worth a total of $102m.
The orders for the LNG-tank carriers were placed by Tiger Gas of Hong Kong, with options for eight more sister vessels. The first ship is due to be delivered in early 2022.
The dual-fuel vessels, which will be jointly designed by Yangzijiang and Tiger Gas, will be capable of carrying heavylift cargo on the Yangtze River and the open ocean.
The orders for the two 56,000-dwt bulkers were placed by a first-time customer, Shanghai Ganglu Shipping Co.
Designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, the vessels will serve China’s domestic shipping trade. The ships are due to be handed over in March 2022.
The deals for the four ships take Yangzijiang’s newbuilding tally for the year to date past the $500m mark, the yard confirmed.
“Our recent order wins reflected the significance of having a good reputation and a strong foothold in the Chinese shipbuilding market, while the economic disruption caused by Covid-19 lingers globally,” said Yangzijiang chief executive Ren Letian.
“The LNG-tank carriers are the second major order from the Tiger Group, thanks to the confidence and trust the key shareholder of the customer has in us.
“The development of this new generation of vessels will also help us grow our R&D capabilities with a focus on ‘green’ features.”
He added that it was “encouraging” to have Shanghai Ganglu as a new client, in a move that expands its base of Chinese customers.
On Monday, Yangzijiang said its inaugural 12,600-teu containership began trials in the Yangtze River ahead of its scheduled delivery in July.
“I am proud that we have made one technological breakthrough after another, in the pursuit of becoming a top-class shipbuilder,” Ren said.
