In the newbuilding market, Marmaras Navigation is said to be placing an order for the construction of for the construction of three 180,000dwt bulkers, plus an option for three more, with delivery between late 2014 and 2015. In the tanker segment, Central Mare of Greece placed an order for the construction of a product tanker 49,000dwt at Hyundai Vinashin with delivery in 2014.

Brokers are reporting an order placed by a Greek player at HHI, S.Korea for one (+1) Multipurpose Offshore Construction Vessel unit to be delivered in the second half of 2015 for an undisclosed price. In the secondhand market, MR tanker vessel BALTIC ADONIA I (dwt 37.197 blt 2003 S.Korea) has been sold to Greek buyers according to broker reports.  The acquisition price is approximately USD 12.2 million.

Chilean CSAV went to Samsung for a major container ship order. Seven firm, with an option for further seven 9000 TEU vessels were concluded at a price reported to be around USD 80 million each. A couple of bulk carrier orders at Japanese yards also came to the surface.

Dilek Shipping is thought to be behind the pair of bulkers cancelled by STX Offshore & Shipbuilding recently. The Korean shipbuilder said in its regulatory filing on February 8 that its newbuilding contract for two bulkers, signed with a European owner in August 2008, were cancelled as of February 8.

Thenamaris has placed an order with SWS for one bulk carrier newbuilding to be delivered in 2015. The price has not been disclosed. In the secondhand market, brokers report three tanker vessels have been sold to Greek players this week.

Golden Ocean has revealed it has cancelled newbuilding contracts at Jinhai. In December 2012, the Company exercised its rights to cancel the construction contracts for Golden Excalibur and Golden Express, and in January 2013 exercised its right to cancel the construction contract for Golden Nantong...

SKF’s acquisition of German-based ship components provider Blohm + Voss Industries (BVI) has been approved by the relevant authorities and is now closed. SKF paid around EUR 80 Mln (approx $107.2 Mln) for 100% of the equity of BVI and assumed net loans of EUR 18 Mln.

Hyundai Heavy Industries saw its orders in January 2013 grοw to $2.711bn, massively increased by 212% year-on-year, according to its regulatory filing on February 15. Its Shipbuilding division contracted a total of $937m, up by 1133% against the same month of last year, and Offshore & Engineering division also sharply rose by 4281% y-o-y to $1.183bn.