China: COSCO Launches Two Bulk Carriers at Zhoushan Shipyard

On the morning of 2 April, the 57,000DWT bulk carriers, “SOFIA”and “STX RAPIDO”, were launched at the same time in COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard. These two vessels were built separately for the Greek owner GOLDENPORT SHIPMANAGEMENT LTD, and the Korean owner STX PAN OCEAN CO., LTD. N176 “SOFIA” is the fourth of the 57,000DWT bulk carrier series being built for GOLDENPORT.

Mr. Andrii, On-site Manager for GOLDENPORT, said, “I witnessed the construction process of all three ships you have built before. Compared to them, I have seen the great improvements which have been made in “SOFIA”; in the quality and the building speed, now everything is getting better here.”

N189 “STX RAPIDO” is the third 57,000DWT bulker being built for STX PAN OCEAN. The first two ships are carrying out sea trials, and are scheduled for delivery in May 2011. At present, all STX new build projects are in full swing.

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Source: COSCO-Shipyard, May 3, 2011.