Three German shipowners have jointly committed to an extensive short-sea cargo vessel construction programme in China.
The combined force has ordered a total of 14 versatile mini-bulkers of a Dutch-developed type from Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry, calling for deliveries starting as soon as February next year.
The 5200XL, single-hold series drawn up by Groot Ship Design is distinguished by a particularly high loading capacity of 270,000ft3 within main dimensions of 89.98m length by 15.45m breadth and on an all-up deadweight of 5,200t.
For the newbuild project, Groningen-based Groot Ship Design cooperated with Hamburg broker Toepfer Transport, which led the commercial negotiations and contract arrangements between the owners and the shipyard.
Seven of the vessels are to the account of Lubeca Marine, in Luebeck, and six have been booked by Jebsen Shipping Partners, of Jork, while a singleton has been ordered by Roerd Braren, of Kollmar. Lubeca Marine is associated with Jebsen Shipping Partners, which emerged from the fusion of four shipmanagement families, Jebsen, Kahrs, Becker and Boehe.
The 5200XL vessels will be built to DNV rules, and strengthened and fitted to 1A ice class standard. The gearless design employs the high hatch coamings, maximum width hatchway, travelling deck gantry for handling the hatch covers, and compact main machinery that typify today’s efficient breed of short-sea workhorse. Maximum draught is 6.2m, and the anticipated gross measurement is 3,850t.
The Jiangsu Dajin yard on the Yangtze at Yangzhou, near Nanjing, is the main fabrication and assembly base of Bestway Marine & Energy Technology Co of Shanghai. The 5200XL series occupies delivery slots through 2023 and 2024.
