August 18 - Nordana has confirmed reports from the Chinese media that it has ordered a further eight heavy lift ships from China's Taizhou Sanfu Shipbuilding.
The reports indicate that the eight 12,000 dwt multipurpose heavy lift ships are scheduled for delivery from the second quarter of 2015 to the second half of 2016.
Nordana has also confirmed that the latest order is in addition to the four multipurpose heavy lift vessels, which are currently under construction at Taizhou Sanfu, which HLPFI reported on January 22, 2013, the first of which is due for delivery in November.
Readers will recall that Zeaborn has also ordered six 12,500 dwt MPVs from Taizhou Sanfu in March with an option for a further four.
Nordana is also bringing in new tonnage to replace existing ships in the Nordana ro-ro service with a newbuild, Wedellsborg, from the Italian ship yard of Visentini, plus two secondhand ships.
Both Wedellsborg and Williamsborg (previously Beachy Head) are now operational in the service. A third ship, Wilhelmsborg is scheduled to join the service in the first quarter of 2015.
When all three ships are in service the overall capacity on this intramed and transatlantic service route will increase by about 30 percent, enabling Nordana to maintain a fixed-day 21-day schedule.
Since July and until Wilhelmsborg is phased in, the service will be maintained with Wedellsborg and Williamsborg performing a 30-day service frequency.
