Far Eastern shipping company to get five new ships

The Far Eastern shipping company has decided to build five ocean-going container carriers, as it overhauls its fleet. Two of them will be launched in China and two more in Poland.

Talking to RIA Novosti here today, officials at the Far Eastern shipping company's administration noted that the company and the Szczecin ship-yard had already signed a contract for the construction of two container carriers with a capacity of 1,730 20-foot containers each.

The contract also allows the Szczecin ship-yard to build another similar container carrier. The shipping company's bosses are to announce the decision to build this ship by February 15, 2005.

The first two container carriers are to join the Far Eastern shipping company's fleet in late 2007, what with the third one arriving in late 2008.

All Chinese-built ocean-going container carriers will be able to transport refrigerator containers, boasting powerful generators all the same.

The Far Eastern shipping company is also studying the possibility of buying two bulkers (bulk ships) on the market. These ships will be used to carry foreign consignments, also playing the part of coasters.

The Far Eastern shipping company plans to spend $40-50 million worth of corporate assets on the 2004 fleet-modernization program. The corporate-fleet modernization program is to get investment to the tune of $200 million within the next four years.