The China Navigation Company (CNCo) has ordered its first self-discharging cement carrier on the back of a partnership deal with Golden Bay Cement. The vessel will be built at China’s Jinling shipyard and will be specially designed to operate on the New Zealand coast.
CNCo’s industrial shipping division, Swire Bulk Logistics, is partnering with Golden Bay Cement to build, own and operate the 9000 dwt cement carrier. The vessel is scheduled to commence operations in late 2016.
“This partnership (with GBC) reinforces CNCo’s commitment to developing New Zealand’s coastal shipping industry, and is critical in supporting the country’s infrastructural development,” said Chris Blake, country manager of CNCo.
The new import terminal in Timaru forms part of the company’s revised strategy to move cement production out of New Zealand and focus on importing and distributing bulk cement.
Wärtsilä is supplying a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF main engine for a new cement carrier being built at the Scheepswerf Ferus Smit yard in the Netherlands.
The new carriers feature a MacGregor cement loading and unloading system with a rated capacity of 1000 tph and the first has already entered into service. MacGregor provides further information.