Shanghai-based Graig China, part of the UK’s Graig group, has won a ten ship order to supervise newbuildings for Chinese leasing company Minsheng Financial Leasing Co Ltd. The supervision contract brings to twenty-three the number of Chinese-owned vessels building in Chinese shipyards under the supervision of Graig.
The new contract is to supervise the construction of ten 76,000 dwt bulk carriers to be built at Jiangsu Rong Sheng Heavy Industries Co Ltd with delivery of the final vessel scheduled for the first quarter of 2012. The ten are in addition to the eight vessels already under construction under Graig supervision for Minsheng at the same yard.
Graig China is also supervising the construction of four 45,000 dwt bulkers for Shanghai Xiang An Electric Power Shipping Co being built at Chengxi Shipyard and the 79,600 dwt bulk-carrier King Peace, building at China’s Wu Jai Zui Shipyard for Shanghai-based Zhong An Shipping.
John Coffin, CEO, Graig China, says, “Chinese owners are now turning to Graig for its newbuilding expertise in China for the same reasons that numerous owners outside China have entrusted us with the supervision of over 120 newbuildings in the last fifteen years. It is our knowledge of Chinese shipyards and our ability to understand both the yard and the owners’ needs that ensures vessels are built to owners’ requirements. These big contracts for emerging Chinese shipping players are important, because they recognise our expertise here and our place in China as a local provider of global quality services and expertise.”
In addition to the twenty-three ships now under supervision for Chinese owners, Graig China is currently supervising around 50 vessels on behalf of ten international owners.
The Graig Group is a broad-based international shipowning and shipping services group delivering technical and commercial ship management, newbuilding supervision, lay-up services, ship design, ship owning and ship finance to global clients who appreciate personal service.
Graig has been building, managing and owning ships since 1919. Today it provides technical management and crewing for a mixed fleet of vessels on behalf of a number of owners. It has supervised over 120 newbuildings for itself and major shipowners. It provides technical consultancy services to a major European bank with a portfolio of 90 vessels. It develops innovative designs such as the Diamond bulk carriers and it can source yards and finance and provide newbuilding supervision and follow up with in-service management. Based in the UK, Graig has offices in Cardiff, London, Shanghai and Singapore.