TCC orders two bulk carriers from Daewoo shipyard

TCC orders two bulk carriers from Daewoo shipyard    Hong Kong carrier Tai Chong Cheang Steamship Co. said Thursday it has ordered two 180,000-deadweight-ton capesize bulk carriers to be built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.
   Delivery of the two vessels is scheduled during the second and fourth quarters of 2011, respectively. The two vessels will fly the HKSAR flag, which brings the total number of Hong Kong-registered vessels in TCC's fleet to nine with an aggregate tonnage of 1.5 million dwt, the carrier said. TCC's overall fleet is 14 vessels with an aggregate capacity of 2.5 million tons. The fleet includes bulk carriers, capesize and Panamax, and oil tankers, Aframax and VLCC.
   'The two vessels will be built up to the classification standards of the American Bureau of Shipping and are compliant with not only the latest maritime regulatory codes, but will also proudly carry the 'Green Passport' notation of ABS, meaning the vessel shall comply with ship scrapping convention codes and not be constructed with hazardous materials which will constitute an environmental threat,' TCC said in a statement.
   TCC Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Koo added that the carrier's aim to own and manage of fleet of vessels with an average vessel age not exceeding five years. The two new vessels are fifth and sixth TCC has order from Daewoo since 2001.