Dalian forges ahead

China?s Dalian Shipyard has won an order for two 35000-dwt product tankers from the German owner Sloman Neptun. It is the first time that the German company has placed an order in the Far East. The vessels are both scheduled to be delivered in 2006. They are 171m long, 27m wide and will be driven by a MAN B&W main diesel engine developing 7,150kW.

It is also reported that Japanese Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has decided to set up a joint venture with Dalian Port Corporation and Cosco Pacific to build and operate a car terminal at Dalian port. To promote the dedicated car terminal business at Dalian, which is one of the key entry ports in northern China, it will enable NYK to meet needs for integrated vehicle transportation with a wider range of services for Japanese and other automobile manufacturers.