China's Guangxi Xijiang Heavy Industry turned out to have put pens on a newbuilding contract with compatriot Guigangshi Julong Wuliu for three 5,000 dwt and two 1,600 dwt units of multiple purpose vessel equipping hybrid engine.  

The five newbuildings will be the first hybrid engine-propelled vessels among in-land vessels in Guangxi region, running on both LNG and diesel. This latest contract is considered to be a landmark deal for ship restructuring as well as a project of "transition of oil to natural gas" and standardization of ship for inland operation.

The five vessels are known as applied with advanced technologies, boasting excellent performance in environment protection, energy saving and etc. In addition, compared to other vessels, under same conditions, it is able to save energy by around 20% per ton with contributing to cost reduction for shipowners as well as promoting vessel quality.