American breakbulk player Intermarine is ordering six 13,300 dwt ships in China. The ships come equipped with two cranes with a combined lifting capacity of up to 900 metric tons.

The orders are split at Hudong-Zhonghua in Shanghai and Guangzhou Wenchong, both part of state-run CSSC and will deliver from the summer of 2017 and continue throughout 2018. They will increase the number of vessels in the Intermarine fleet with more than 800 metric tons lifting capacity from six to 12. The deal has come with financing from CSSC’s leasing arm.

“The vessels are an efficient upgrade to our existing bridge-forward F-Class ships. They have the advantage of better stability, larger holds, improved cranes and reduced consumption,” said Frank Fischer, managing director of tonnage procurement. “We partnered with CSSC Leasing to provide these vessels with long-term charters due to their financial stability and global reach.”

Earlier this year Intermarine announced the ordering of 15 other newbuilds as part of its so called ‘Fleet of the Future’ plans.