China State Shipbuilding Corp-affiliated state yard Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) has inked a total of 18 180,000-dwt capesize bulkers of a newly developed design from the end of 2012 up till mid March of this year.
Currently SWS secured its schedule up to 2016.
Huang yongxi, chairman of SWS, recently revealed what was mentioned above. Also he said that the capesize bulker, developed during the second half of last year, improves fuel efficiency by 20% and is highly praised by owners.
About bottom-hitting newbuilding prices of capesize bulkers, worth around $46m apiece, currently, he said "Newbuilding prices has been on a rise since the end of last year and I think 2012 hit bottom."
Besides capesize bulkers, SWS has contracted three VLCCs, two jack-up rigs, four 170,000-cbm ethylene/LNG carriers, etc., year-to-date.