Crescent Tankships Orders Product Tankers

Crescent Tankships, part of the U.K. shipping group Crescent, has ordered two innovative 3,500 dwt chemical and oil tankers from the Rousse Shipyard, Bulgaria.

The order, accompanied by a series of options, follows the acquisition by Crescent of Camilla, a 1,880 dwt high specification product tanker.

"These orders, our first newbuildings since 1989, and the acquisition of the Camilla, show our confidence in the future of the clean products market in Europe," says Rob Bennett, managing director of Crescent Tankships. "We believe this high intensity market will become even more demanding, so with the backing of the Clipper Group, we are moving to ensure we have the right vessels to meet the future high expectations of major charterers in these trades." For delivery in fourth quarter 2003, the two newbuildings will be LR class and British flag. They will have twin engines, twin screws, twin rudders and a high degree of operational redundancy, in addition to being double skinned throughout their length. "These vessels reflect a growing demand for segregated ballast in smaller ships, which cuts down on the likelihood of pollution and also reduces in port time. The double skin in the engine room area protects the bunker spaces." www.mariHmereporterinfo.com