NYK converts containership orders

NYK converts containership orders    NYK Line has reportedly decided to convert two separate containership orders to orders for crude tankers, bulk carriers and car carriers, Lloyd’s List reported Wednesday.
   The Japanese line has changed an order for five 9,300-TEU vessels from a Japanese shipyard to three containerships, with the remaining two to be converted to orders for crude tankers. Meanwhile, a separate order for nine 4,500-TEU ships from Hanjin Heavy Industries has been scaled down to four, with the remaining five containerships being switched to three bulk carriers and two product tankers.
   The line recently indicated it intended to significantly scale back its fleet and focus on its non asset-based businesses.
   Meanwhile, Lloyd’s List also reported that Hanjin Heavy Industries has decided to cancel an order for a 6,500-TEU vessel ordered by IRISL for similar reasons that it canceled an ordered by CMA CGM for a vessel of the same size. The lines have had trouble making final payments for the delivery of the vessels and in CMA CGM’s case, reportedly forfeited a $60 million down payment on the $100 million vessel. The Korean shipyard later sold the CMA CGM vessel to a third party for $41 million.