Image credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping.

On 24 July, the final vessel in a series of six 210,000 dwt DF LNG Newcastlemaxes chartered to Rio Tinto, Mount Ossa, was successfully delivered. This delivery represents the 21st vessel delivered by New Times Shipbuilding to Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).Despite global challenges, Rio Tinto and EPS have demonstrated exceptional resilience and a strong commitment to decarbonizing the shipping industry. Over the past three years, these LNG-powered vessels have proven to be a sustainable alternative, emitting 30% less greenhouse gases compared to their conventional counterparts. The successful completion of over 200 LNG bunkering operations has further reduced emissions across the EPS fleet.

This milestone delivery highlights the robust partnership between New Times Shipbuilding and EPS. With 43 world-class vessels built and delivered, including those currently on order, this collaboration is only halfway through its journey. EPS and New Times Shipbuilding continue to work together to advance sustainable shipping practices, reflecting their shared dedication to environmental responsibility and industry innovation.This delivery underscores the significant progress being made in the maritime sector towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices, setting a benchmark for future developments in the industry.

Image credit: New Times Shipbuilding.

Singapore's East Pacific Shipping (EPS) has committed over $2.45 billion to order up to 12 LNG dual-fuel containerships, each costing $204 million. EPS has confirmed an order for eight 18,000 TEU containerships with New Times Shipbuilding, with options for four additional units. EPS CEO Cyril Ducau verified the order, which is reportedly under a charter agreement with France’s CMA CGM.

In recent developments, EPS has also confirmed multiple orders at Chinese shipyards. These include four 111,000 dwt LNG dual-fuel product tankers from Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI), as well as agreements for MR product tankers and dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) from Mawei Shipbuilding, Southeast Shipbuilding, Xiamen Shipbuilding Heavy Industry, and China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing). Additionally, EPS secured an order for a 114,000 dwt product tanker/crude oil tanker from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS).The investments underscore EPS’s strategic focus on sustainable shipping solutions amid growing global demand for environmentally friendly maritime transport.

https://splash247.com/eastern-pacific-signs-for-up-to-a-dozen-car-carrier-newbuilds/

Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has expanded its extensive order book with a new agreement for up to 12 car carrier newbuilds in China. The Singapore-based diversified shipowner, currently managing around 80 newbuilding projects, has finalized contracts for up to eight 5,500 CEU vessels at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and up to four at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard.

The agreement includes four firm LNG dual-fuel units at Fujian Mawei, slated for delivery in 2027, and two firm units at Jinling. Shipbuilding sources estimate the price at approximately $80 million each. Additionally, EPS has secured options for constructing four mid-sized car carriers at Xiamen Shipbuilding, along with options for an additional four vessels. The Jinling Shipyard agreement includes options for two more units.Earlier in the year, EPS ordered up to eight 50,000 DWT MR tankers at Fujian Mawei, with the delivery of four firm ships expected in 2026. This follows EPS’s ongoing cooperation with China Merchants Jinling, involving contracts for a series of 7,000 CEU dual-fuel newbuilds.According to Clarksons data, about 35 firm car carriers have been contracted so far this year, while 2023 saw the firming of 88 units, primarily at Chinese shipyards, focusing predominantly on larger vessels.

https://www.offshore-energy.biz/new-times-shipbuilding-launches-lng-dual-fuel-bulker-for-eps/

Chinese shipbuilder New Times Shipbuilding (NTS) has successfully launched the liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel bulker, Mount Ossa, for Singapore-based shipowner Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS). The launching ceremony for the 210,000-dwt LNG dual-fuel bulk carrier took place on May 17, 2024. This vessel is the final one in a series of eleven new bulk carriers that NTS is constructing for EPS.In addition to Mount Ossa, NTS also floated out a 7,000 TEU containership for EPS. Currently, Singapore’s shipowner has an extensive order book with NTS, which includes four 110,000-ton oil tankers, eleven 210,000-ton dual-fuel bulk carriers, and seven 7,000 TEU container ships.

EPS has also ordered six 50,000-ton chemical tankers and two 155,500-ton dual-fuel oil tankers. NTS's recent activities reflect a robust partnership with EPS. In June of the previous year, NTS launched another dual-fuel bulker, Mount Cook. Its sister vessel, Mount Tai, the fifth in this series, was named and delivered in May 2023. The third vessel in this series was delivered in November 2022, while the fourth vessel, Mount Ararat, was completed at the beginning of 2023.

https://maritime-executive.com/article/houthis-target-tanker-as-they-also-involve-hamas-in-red-sea-conflict

Houthis Target Tanker as They Also Involve Hamas in Red Sea Conflict

In a potentially concerning incident indicative of the complexities surrounding maritime security in the region, the crude oil tanker Pacific 01, registered in Panama, experienced an explosion while traversing the Red Sea, approximately 65 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The event occurred overnight, with reports indicating that a second merchant vessel observed a missile passing overhead during the incident.

Attributed to Houthi militants, the attack has sparked discussions regarding the accuracy of targeting information, particularly concerning outdated vessel data. The tanker, formerly managed by Eastern Pacific Shipping of Singapore, was previously associated with Israeli shipping magnate Idan Ofer. However, recent ownership and management transfers to Pacific Ocean Energy Trans, a Vietnamese-based entity, occurred last month, resulting in the vessel's rebranding as Pacific 01.

 

Security authorities have underscored the risks associated with such discrepancies, highlighting previous instances where outdated vessel information led to similar targeting incidents. Initial reports from the UK Maritime Trade Organizations and Ambrey suggested that the tanker sustained damage from the attack. However, subsequent clarification from UKMTO revealed that following a daylight inspection, the vessel's master confirmed no damage had occurred, and the vessel proceeded with its intended route, signaling its upcoming transit through the Suez Canal.