$50-Million Order For World's Largest Ore Carrier

The Hong- Kong Trade Development Council reports that the Wah-Kwong Shipping Group recently placed an order for a 260,- 000-dwt ore carrier, the largest of its kind ever built. The contract was awarded to the Japanese Hitachi Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Ltd., with delivery expected to be made late next year. The cost has been put at $50 million.

It is estimated that this purchase could be the largest vessel ordered in the world during the past 18 months. In outlining the scope of this order, Frank Chao, t h e p r e s i d e n t of Wah Kwong noted that, although there are a number of existing oil-bulk-ore (OBO) and oil-ore ( 0 0 ) combination carriers of more than 270,000 dwt, his company's order is for the largest pure dry cargo ship.

"In my opinion," Mr. Chao said, "a 260,000-tonner is ideal f o r loading and unloading and economical.

Carriers in this range will gradually take over the transport of ore from the smaller ships." He predicted that, in the years ahead, smaller ships will concentrate on carrying grain or coal.

The normal size of the present dry cargo fleet ranges f r om 90,000 to 140,000 tons, and the largest ore carrier in use at present is 170,000 tons.

The vessel will be 315 meters in length (about 1,034 f e e t ) , with a beam of 55 meters (180 feet), and a draft of 20.4 meters (67 f e e t ) . Powered by a 26,500-hp Hitachi B&W 8L90GFCA diesel engine, the vessel is designed for a speed of 14.3 knots.

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