China’s Huatai Heavy Industry (Nantong) Co has secured an order to build four 1,400 teu dual-fuel container vessels for Germany’s Nordic Hamburg.

The new container vessels are scheduled to be delivered close to the end of 2017. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The environmentally-friendly dual-fuel ships are expected to reap higher energy efficiency and emit significantly less harmful emissions, according to Huatai, based in Jiangsu province.

Established in 2006, Huatai had emerged from an internal reorganisation since August last year after it was hit by the global slowdown in the shipbuilding industry.

This year-to-date, Huatai has handed over three 38,500 dwt dry bulk carriers to the buyers, and the company believed it is on track to regain its reputation particularly to foreign owners.