Japan’s Orix Corp has ordered two 66,000-dwt bulkers at Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding for delivery in 2023.
The ships are the latest in the Chinese shipbuilder's TESS66 Aeroline series of super-efficient bulker designs.
No price has been disclosed.
The TESS66 design complies with the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index Phase 3 standards, which will not become mandatory for bulkers until 2025, and IMO NOx Tier III standards.
Orix said: “They can be expected to have lower environmental impact and better fuel efficiency compared to existing vessels.”
It believes TESS66 reduces wind resistance by up to 20%. The design has a streamlined bow and superstructure that Tsuneishi estimates improves fuel consumption by 12% on a tonne-mile basis.
Orix directly owns 25 vessels, most of which are bulkers. It acts as a pure owner and charters its vessels out to grain trading houses and power companies.
It has been expanding in the maritime sector by partnering Piraeus Bank on ship finance.
Orix was also recently linked to a sale-and-leaseback finance deal with Evergreen Marine worth up to $330m for two ultra-large containership newbuildings.
