Dutch shipping company Vroon has taken delivery of the fifth in a line of seven livestock carriers being built for the company by the Chinese Cosco Guangdong Shipyard.
The carrier, named Gloucester Express, features a length of 134.8 meters and a breadth of 19.6 meters.
Vroon said that the newbuilding is fitted with advanced animal-welfare facilities exceeding Australian (AMSA) regulations, and can carry a cargo capacity of approximately 4,600m2, with a cruising range of around 18,000 NM.
Gloucester Express left the shipyard as it started its journey to Australia where it will commence its charter employment.
According to Vroon, the final two vessels in the series, Greyman Express and Gudali Express, are scheduled to join the fleet later in 2016.
Additionally, the company expanded its fleet with a platform supply vessel VOS Partner, featuring a length of 83.4 meters and a breadth of 18 meters.
The vessel, also built and delivered by Cosco Guangdong, is the third of six PX121-type PSVs being built at the shipyard.
The remaining PX121s are expected to join the company’s fleet later this year.
According to the owner, the platform supply vessels will operate under the management of Vroon Offshore Services.