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| Zhejiang gets handy order from Phoenix |
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Ningbo-based Zhejiang Shipyard has secured an order for a pair of handymax bulker newbuildings from Phoenix Bulk Carriers of the US. Ed Coll of Phoenix confirms the order, which he says is still on subjects. The company has ordered two 51,000-dwt vessels with options for two more, with delivery in late 2004 or early 2005. He declines to discuss prices, other than saying that the m-per-vessel figure cited in broker reports is too high. Phoenix has previously operated with an average of 10 to 15 vessels chartered in over the past seven or eight years. However, after purchasing the 74,000-dwt Cinzia D'Amato (built 2000) with a partner earlier this year, the company said: "We felt it was time for us to start moving over to that side of the business." Zhejiang, one of the shipyards under the China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) umbrella, recently completed a 190 by 33-metre dock capable of building ships of up to 75,000 dwt. "We are getting a good number of enquiries from foreign owners these days, although we only started to build export ships five years ago," said a yard official. Zhejiang has also secured an order for two 51,000-dwt handymax bulk carriers from Greek owner WEM Lines. The high-spec newbuildings are set for delivery in December 2003 and April 2004. |
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