STX bulks up and readies for expansion

摘要

Catching the mood of the market early, STX Shipbuilding has been very active in the bulk carrier market this year, with a new yard under construction in Dalian, China integral to its success. The yard has secured orders for a total of 80 bulk carriers, consisting of 17 ships of 181,000dwt, 41 of 58,000dwt, and 22 of 81,000dwt. Orders this year alone have been worth some US$4.2 billion. The company, which has delivered 217 ships, has 254 further vessels on order, worth an estimated US$13bn, and can now claim to be the world's fifth largest shipbuilder.