Following the naming of its new cement carrier, MV Aotearoa Chief, in New Zealand yesterday, The China Navigation Company (CNCo) also christened its last new build, MV Tunsin, on November 16 at the Imabari Shipyard in Japan.
The christening of MV Tunsin marks the completion of CNCo’s new building programme of 41 vessels which include 12 multi-purpose vessels (22,000 – 31,000dwt), 28 Handysize bulk carriers (37,800dwt – 39,500dwt) and a cement carrier (9,000dwt).
The cement carrier, MV Aotearoa Chief, will begin her long term charter with New Zealand’s Golden Bay Cement this month.
MV Tunsin is the 241st CNCo new build and the 86th vessel in this series. CNCo ordered four Handysize bulk carriers (Imbari38 loggers) from Imabari Shipbuilding in 2014.
Deliveries of the first three vessels, MV Taiyuan, MV Tientsin and MV Tsingtao took place between July and October this year. The names chosen for the vessels reflect CNCo’s long history in the Asia-Pacific region since its first ships sailed on the Yangtze River in 1872.
The four new ships, alongside five long-term chartered Imabari38s and 24 Swire B.Delta39 handysize bulk carriers, will operate in Swire Bulk, CNCo’s Handysize dry bulk division.
With three additional long-term chartered Imabari38 loggers for delivery in 2017 and 2018, Swire Bulk continues to grow its fleet of modern eco-friendly handy tonnage and expand its service in the Pacific and Atlantic basins.
