Richard Kendall, CNCo’s Managing Director, said: “With over a decade since China Navigation placed its last newbuilding order, this is a significant occasion for us. We have dedicated a lot of resources to designing a ship that combines capability for the cargoes we carry in our trades with flexibility for a range of future deployments. We have also focused on the environmental efficiency of the vessel - an increasingly important aspect of any logistical investment today. In all of these areas we believe our vessel will set a new benchmark within the multipurpose sector.” He added: “With this order, CNCo will be able to reduce its reliance on chartered-in tonnage for developing its existing trades. Longer-term, we will be seeking to build more new ships as part of our ongoing fleet replacement program.”
The design comprises a five-hold, nine-hatch configuration and the ships will each have four cranes, with a maximum lift capability of 250 tons.
Fuel efficiency has been a key criterion for CNCo. Engine selection and hull form design will enable the fully loaded ship to run at around 16 knots, consuming about 40 tons of fuel a day, or at 14.5 knots on 30 tons of fuel per day; at its slightly lighter optimum design draft, the ship will burn 29 tons of fuel a day at 15.5 knots. Other environmental features include the use of cutting-edge technology to increase the hydrodynamics and efficiency of the propeller, and the latest paint systems, designed to produce a smoother surface and better coefficient of friction; these design features will reduce the fuel burnt across the ship’s range of operating speeds and increase its maximum speed.
Ji Fenghua, Chairman of Nantong Mingde Heavy Industry said: “As a recently-established shipyard in China, benefiting from modern equipment, experienced management, a predominantly directly employed workforce, good health and safety practices and a fast expanding building capacity, we have ambitious expansion plans. We are delighted to welcome CNCo and the Swire Group as a customer of our shipyard, and have every confidence in our ability to produce a first class series of ships for them”.