K Line orders third ULOC

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.(K Line) has placed an order with Universal Shipbuilding Corporation for the building of another 300,000DWT ultra large ore carrier (ULOC) to be completed in 2009. This latest newbuilding, with a length of 330 metres and a 55 metre beam, was ordered for a long-term voyage charter with Nippon Steel Corporation.

The ore carrier will be engaged in shuttle service transporting iron ore from Brazil to Japan where it will utilize its maximum transport capability with discharging at the port of Oita which has the deepest draught berths in Japan.

K Line also has a long-term contract with NSC for transporting coal and iron ore mainly from Australia to Nagoya using a new 250 metre long 100,000DWT bulk carrier to be built at Imabari Shipbuilding for delivery during 2005.