Rongsheng wins Oman deal

Chinese shipbuilder Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Co, which is aiming to sell shares to the public later this year, won a $484 million deal to build four ships for Oman Shipping Co. The bulk carriers would carry exports from an iron ore pellet plant in northern Oman which is expected to begin production in the second half of 2010. Brazil’s Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) is building the $1 billion plant.

“The vessels will be delivered by the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012 and will be chartered to Vale for its exports,” the official from Oman’s Tender Board said. The owner of the vessels is state-owned Oman Shipping Co which has said it plans to spend $4 billion on expanding its fleet.