Greek shipowner Centrofin Management has signed an order for six bulk carriers with Hengli Heavy Industries, which are expected to be delivered within two years, foreign media reported.
The order was reportedly placed in the middle of this year, but was not reported. The new vessels are traditionally fueled and equipped with desulfurization towers, with a specification of 82,000 dwt. The price of the order has not been disclosed, as a reference, Greek shipping company Veritas Ship Management placed an order for two 82,000 dwt bulk carriers at Hengli Heavy Industries in the first half of the year, with the cost of a unit costing $38 million.
Founded in 1992, Centrofin operates more than 100 vessels and owns 23 tankers and 19 bulk carriers, built between 2005 and 2023. The company’s last order for new vessels was in 2020, when it signed a deal with Samsung Heavy Industries for five Suezmax tankers, which have been delivered in 2023.
It is reported that this order is the fifth 82,000 dwt bulk carrier newbuilding contract that Hengli Heavy Industries has made public this year. Together with the latest order, Hengli Heavy Industries has undertaken 22 bulk carriers of this type this year, with the cost of each vessel ranging from $35 million to $38 million, all of which were ordered by foreign shipowners. The first four shipbuilding contracts were for four vessels from Sea Traders in Greece, four vessels from Ciner Shipping in Turkey, six vessels from Laskaridis Maritime in Greece and two vessels from Veritas Ship Management in Greece.
Roughly calculated, up to now, Hengli Heavy Industries 82,000 dwt Kamsarmax bulk carriers handheld order book has exceeded 46 vessels.