Imabari signing Tokyo 2015

February 5, 2015

The Tai Chong Cheang (TCC) Group announced on January 23rd, 2015 that it had declared an option and signed a shipbuilding contract in Tokyo with Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for one vessel of D/W 182,200 M/T or 207,600 M/T Bulkcarrier at a competitive price. The vessel is expected to be delivered during the 1st half of 2018.

The vessel is the 2nd of a similar shipbuilding contract signed with Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in August of 2014 for a 207,600 M/T Bulkcarrier to be delivered during the 2nd half of 2017.

Both vessels will be on long term timecharters to NS United upon delivery and are part of the TCC Group’s “Boutique Owner” strategy to build ships towards specific commercial or strategic requirements that the Group’s business partners may have.

Imabari Shipbuilding ranks among the leading international shipbuilders of large bulk carriers with modern designs, high construction qualities and state-of-the-art technologies. The newbuilding vessels are designed with high specifications and structural standards to support optimum cargo intake and efficient fuel consumption; and to comply with the latest environmental regulations installing Ballast Water Treatment System (“BWTS”) and carrying ABS Class notation.

The abovementioned shipbuilding contracts will be added to TCC’s ongoing fleet renewal program at Imabari Shipbuilding which includes the panamax CSK Longevity delivered in June, 2014, 1 Panamax bulkcarrier to be delivered in May, 2015, 1 capesize bulkcarrier (JV with KLine) to be delivered in the 2nd half, 2017, and with Namura Shipbuilding Co. for 2 Aframax tankers to be delivered in the 2nd half, 2016.

Imabari signing Tokyo 2015

From left to right: TCC Group Chairman and CEO, Kenneth Koo, Imabari Shipbuilding President, Y. Higaki, Sumitomo Corporation, Corporate Officer, M. Yamaguchi