CNCo Christened MV Tunsin at Imabari Shipyard

The China Navigation Company (CNCo) christened its last newbuild bulk carriers, MV Tunsin, on 16 November at the Imabari Shipyard in Japan.

Tunsin is the 241st CNCo newbuilding and the 86th vessel in this series.

CNCo ordered four handysize bulk carriers (Imbari38 loggers) from Imabari Shipbuilding in 2014. Deliveries of the first three vessels, MV Taiyuan, MV Tientsin and MV Tsingtao took place between July and October this year. The names chosen for the vessels reflect CNCo’s long history in the Asia Pacific region since its first ships sailed on the Yangtze River in 1872.

MV Tunsin was named by lady sponsor, Sara Cutler, wife of Robert Cutler, Staff Director of John Swire & Sons Ltd. The ceremony was attended by over 30 guests including Sam Swire, Executive Director of John Swire & Sons Ltd.

In his speech, James Woodrow, Managing Director at CNCo, said, “The completion of CNCo’s four-year newbuilding programme is a significant milestone for the company which has been in shipping since 1872. Throughout its history, CNCo has relied on developing long term relationships with key business partners. It is our firm belief that the four Imabari38 vessels, facilitated by Itochu and built by Imabari Shipbuilding, will play a key role in the future of the company.

“CNCo currently operates five long-term charter Imabari38 loggers that are well-received by our customers. Just like our Swire B.Delta39 bulk carriers, we are confident that this design will set the benchmark for the handysize sector in years to come.”

The four new ships, alongside five long-term chartered Imabari38s and 24 Swire B.Delta39 handysize bulk carriers, will operate in Swire Bulk, CNCo’s handysize dry bulk division. With three additional long-term chartered Imabari38 loggers for delivery in 2017 and 2018, Swire Bulk continues to grow its fleet of modern eco-friendly handy tonnage and expands its service in the Pacific and Atlantic basins.

The christening of MV Tunsin marks the completion of CNCo’s newbuilding programme of 41 vessels which include 12 multipurpose vessels (22,000 - 31,000dwt), 28 handysize bulk carriers (37,800dwt - 39,500dwt) and a cement carrier (9,000dwt). The latter, MV Aotearoa Chief, will begin her long term charter with New Zealand’s Golden Bay Cement this month.

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. Through its three business divisions, Swire Shipping, Swire Bulk and Swire Bulk Logistics, the company provides multipurpose liner, dry
bulk and bulk logistics services on a global basis.