State-owned electricity provider Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) invested has NT$6.3 billion (US$213 million) to expand its coal carrier ships fleet in an effort to save costs in transporting coal.
Besides its Dian Chang No. 1 and 2 ships currently in service, Taipower has purchased four more vessels this year. Among them, three ships have started operation while the fourth will be handed over from an unspecified shipbuilder next month.
According to Taipower, the six-ship fleet can transport eight million metric tons of coal per year. This cuts down the costs of shipping and raises the amount of coal transported in-house from 10 percent of Taipower's total coal imports to 30 percent.
The new ships are the first for ten years for Taipower.