Safmarine orders four multi-purpose vessels

Safmarine has placed an order for four MPV vessels of 18 000 tons with Wuhu Xinlian Shipyard in China. The deal includes an option – which must be declared in the next few months – for another four vessels. The confirmed vessels will be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2010 to the second quarter of 2011. They will be deployed on Safmarine's MPV trades to and from West Africa. “In the meantime, we have this year taken delivery of four newly built MPV vessels on long-term charter,” said liner director Jan Scheck.