Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (with president Mr. Yasuhiko Katoh) has agreed with a first class shipowner to build 2 units of “neo Supramax 66BC”, 66,000 dwt bulk carriers of next generation newly developed as low fuel consumption／eco-friendly ship.

Keeping the superior usability of MES’ best selling 56,000 dwt type handymax bulk carrier (“Mitsui 56”) which achieved over 170 contracts, this new and larger type bulk carrier is expected to establish a new segment in bulk carrier market. Development of the ship’s design was preceded by hearings from various owners and operators and investigations on more than 600 ports all over the world. This ship is designed to have over-Panamax beam (36m) and shallow draft in consideration of prevailing trade patterns and the expansion of Panama Canal in 2014.

Despite its larger deadweight and cargo capacity than Mitsui 56, neo Supramax 66BC achieves even less fuel consumption by adopting newly developed hull form and other energy saving equipment.

At IMO MEPC62 held from 11th to 15th July, 2011 in London, implementation of new energy efficiency design index (“EEDI”) and actual restrictions on fuel consumption in line therewith have been adopted. Ocean-going ships to be built now on will be required to satisfy a certain level of fuel consumption standard and the requirement will gradually become severer, therefore, existing ships will be replaced with ships with superior fuel consumption step by step. Neo Supramax 66BC’s fuel consumption is far lower than the restriction level based on EEDI and is expected to benefit its users in long term under the future marine environment protection restrictions. The MES’ achievement is a result of high valuation of neo Supramax 66BC’s concept, superior energy efficiency and operational flexibility from wide beam, shallow draft design. The 2 ships are to be chartered by European major operator.