Ship Finance orders container ships

The New York-based Ship Finance International Ltd., which operates a fleet of oil tankers and other ships, has signed contracts to buy five new container ships for a combined value of $190 million.

The vessels will be built by two shipyards in China, Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Co. Ltd., and are scheduled for delivery in 2010. The purchase will bring the number of container ships the company owns to 12 and increase the size of its fleet to 65. The vessels will be marketed for medium- and long-term charters.