China Merchants confirms multipurpose newbuild order
Four 62,000 dwt ships to be built by Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) for delivery in 2027
The four newbuildings had the state-owned conglomerate’s subsidiaries involved through the entire process — from financing to construction and operations
CHINA Merchants Group has finalised a newbuilding project for four multipurpose and heavylift bulkers through a collaborative deal between its shipping, ship finance and shipbuilding divisions.
The order and charter agreements for the 62,000 dwt quartet were signed by China Merchants Energy Shipping, China Merchants Bank Financial Leasing, China Merchants Industry Holdings and its subsidiary Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing).
The ordering plan was first announced in December last year when CMES said that its board had approved agreements to pay the lessor up to Yuan1bn ($138m) for chartering the fresh tonnage for no more than five years. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027.
The four newbuildings are the largest vessels of this class and offer great cargo compatibility, capable of carrying heavy machinery, pulp, various solid bulk cargoes and containers.
CMES said the deal marks the first collaborative effort between China Merchants’ core shipping, finance, and manufacturing business segments.
Late last year, CMES also agreed to charter two conventional-fuel newcastlemax bulkers from CMB Leasing expected to be delivered in 2026, as part of its fleet renewal and expansion strategy.
The state-owned shipping giant with a diversified fleet owns and operates more than 90 ships in the dry bulk sector, including 34 owned very large ore carriers and 16 capesizes.
