STX targets 12 launching yearly

STX Shipbuilding in Jinhae, South Korea, plans to complete 12 ship launches this year as a result of continuous improvements in shipbuilding and design techniques. This translates into the construction of 24 ships and completion of 22 since each launch involves floating out two ships. Last year the yard achieved 10 launches representing 20 ships. The yard can complete over 90% of a vessel?s construction within 35 days by using the big block assembly technique in conjunction with the semi-tandem construction method making it possible for four ships to be built simultaneously in the same dry-dock which enables two ships to be launched at the same time. In addition, STX has seen a 20% rise in output by reducing the working period of the outfitting stage from 75 to 65 days.

STX has secured orders for two 51,000dwt product carriers from Italian owner Pietro Barbaro at a total price of $63 million. Ship particulars are 183 metres long, 32.20 metres wide and a depth of 19.10 metres. Service speed will be just under 16 knots and delivery is scheduled for August 2006. Including the latest two new orders, Barbaro has ordered 8 ships from this shipbuilder. This brings the total January order intake at STX to 16 ships swelling the shipbuilder?s order backlog to 86 ships valued at $ 2.6 billion.