Bulkers of environmentally-friendly design are much in focus and shipping companies are turning to Japan as Japanese yards are becoming ever more competitive with their green design solutions, according to Fearnleys Weekly report.
Some Japanese yards can offer early deliveries in the first half of 2015, whilst others only have openings well into 2016 and even 2017, says the report.
Berge Bulk, as one of the companies that recognized the qualities of Japanese builders, is said to have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Company for construction of two 250,000 dwt bulk carriers including two optional ones, slated for delivery beween 2014 and 2015. The company is also said to have inked an LoI with Guangzhou Longxue Shipbuilding for 2+2 250,000 dwt order.
Based on the report, U-Ming will be expanding its fleet with two 83,800 dwt bulk carriers to be built at Oshima Shipbuilding. Furthermore, there are indications that Peter Dohle will add three bulkers 38,800 dwt from Jiangsu Hantong to its fleet whereas MUR Shipping will have two 34,000 dwt bulkers built at Namura Shipbuilding, including an option for building two additional ones.
[mappress] Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, April 26, 2013