2011 April 13   08:32

SFI places $230 million containership order

Ship Finance International has placed a containership order worth US$230 million from an unnamed state-owned shipyard in China, ifw-net reports.

The four 4,800teu vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2013, and will be chartered on a time-charter basis to a “large, European-based container line” for seven years at a daily rate of $26,250.

It said the majority of the payment is due on delivery.

“We expect to secure bank financing for up to 80% of the purchase price,” said a statement from the company.

The contract comes just three weeks after the company entered into an agreement to acquire two 2010-built 13,800teu vessels Magellan and Corte Real from CMA CGM for $342 million.

Ole Hjertaker CEO of Ship Finance Management said: “This project will add approximately $270 million to our charter backlog, which currently stands at more than $7 billion.”