Japanese shipowner, Daiichi Chuo Kisen announced on Sep 16 that it is to place newbuilding orders for three 97,000-dwt coal carriers at IHIMU.

    With delivery each by June and November 2013 and January 2014, the firm contract will be signed by the end of this month.

    The ships will be owned by Daiichi Chuo's subsidiary abroad and time-chartered by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

    Daiichi Chuo has made the first long-term chartering contract with TEPCO.

    TEPCO plans to strengthen its coal-carrier fleet for operation in its 2013 new coal-fired power plant.

    Recently ordered ship is the newly developed 97,000-dwt fuel-efficient eco-ship.

(source:asiasis)