China's COSCO Shipping taps local yard for 30 new grain carriers

China's COSCO Shipping, via its COSCO Shipping Bulk Lines division, and CITIC Financial Leasing have awarded Fujian Shipbuilding a contract for the construction of 30 multi-purpose grain carriers in a series.

The contract has a total value of CNY10.8 billion (US$1.5 billion) and covers the construction of all 30 ships through 2028 at the facilities of Fujian Shipbuilding subsidiary Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding. Initial deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2027.

Upon completion, each grain carrier will have an LOA of 230 metres, a beam of 32.26 metres, a depth of 21 metres, a deadweight of 80,000, and a speed of 15.5 knots. The hold on each ship may also be used for transporting other types of dry bulk cargo as well as containers, general cargo, and construction equipment.

Design work on the new grain carriers will be undertaken by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute.