China clinches French bulk carrier octet

This order involves four 180,000 dwt Capesize and four 40,000 dwt Handymax vessels with deliveries scheduled in 2013 and 2014. The Capers are 292m long, 45m wide, a draught of 18.30m and a service speed of 14.5 knots. The geared Handymaxes will have a length of 180m, a width of 30m, a 10,50m draught and a service speed of 14 knots.

Both types have been optimized to minimize CO2 emissions with each new Capesize vessel claimed to save approximately 9,300 tonnes of CO2 per year while the Handymax design will save 5,000 tonnes. Additionally the new Handymax design is optimized at 10.50m draught to better serve all ports of Southeast Asia. All vessels will be registered under EU flag.

In line with its counter-cyclical strategy and after having sold a substantial part of its fleet of bulk carriers in the highest markets in 2007 and 2008, LDA group has decided to rebuild its fleet and is confident that today’s depressed markets will experience a significant improvement as from 2013.