Four new multi-purpose ships for Rickmers-Linie

Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for May 2011, and by December 2011 all four ships will be in service. This latest quartet brings to 18 the number of newbuilds contracted in China for deployment in Rickmers-Linie’s worldwide network. “Between December 2009 and December 2011, we will add altogether 18 vessels in three different sizes to our fleet. We will renew and expand our fleet substantially,” said Jan Boje Steffens, president and CEO of Rickmers-Linie.

The new ships ordered from Guangzhou Wenchong are identical to four vessels of the ‘Superflex Mumbai Max Class’ to be built for Polaris by Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding, under a contract announced last July (the first of these is scheduled for delivery in December 2010 and all four are expected to be in service by September 2011).

All eight ships have been purpose-designed for the carriage of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo. With a deadweight of 24,000 tonnes, an overall length of 175 m and a beam of 26.5 m, they will be fitted with variable height between decks for maximum cargo flexibility.