The China Navigation Company (CNCo), a deep sea shipping arm of the Swire Group, christened MV Tunsin, the last of four Handysize bulk carrier newbuildings at Imabari Shipyard in Japan on November 16, 2016.

The Tunsin is part of the four-vessel order placed in June 2014. The deliveries of the first three Imabari38 vessels, MV Taiyuan, MV Tientsin and MV Tsingtao, took place between July and October this year, according to the company.

The company said that the christening of the Tunsin marks the completion of CNCo’s newbuilding program of 41 vessels which include 12 multipurpose vessels, 28 handysize bulk carriers and a cement carrier.

Prior to the christening ceremony of the Tunsin, CNCo named its new cement carrier, MV Aotearoa Chief, in New Zealand on October 15, 2016.

Built at China’s Jinling Shipyard, the 9,000 dwt Aotearoa Chief is expected to begin its long-term charter with New Zealand’s Golden Bay Cement (GBC) this month.

In February 2015, CNCo entered into a long-term partnership with GBC to build, own and operate the self-discharging cement carrier.

Additionally, CNCo said it currently operates five long-term charter Imabari 38 loggers.

The four new bulk carriers, along with five long-term chartered Imabari38s and 24 Swire B.Delta39 Handysize bulk carriers, will operate in Swire Bulk, CNCo’s Handysize dry bulk division.

CNCo owns, operates and charters a fleet of 86 vessels comprising 26 multipurpose vessels, four container vessels, 55 handysize bulk carriers and one cement carrier.

Image Courtesy: CNCo