Safmarine orders four 18,000 dwt multi-purpose vessels in China

AP Moller Maersk subsidiary Safmarine has confirmed it has placed an order for four 18,000 dwt multi-purpose vessels with Wuhu Xinlian Shipyard . The deal includes an option for another four vessels with the option having to be declared in the next few months. The confirmed vessels will be delivered from Q4 2010 onwards through to Q2 2011. A Safmarine statement says: “These vessels will be deployed on Safmarine's MPV trades to and from West Africa with specific deployment to be decided closer to the date of delivery. In the meantime, we have, during 2008, taken delivery of four newly built multi-purpose vessels, on long-term charter.”