SAUDI Arabia’s National Chemical Carriers(NCC) has gone to HMD for the first time, spending $67m on two product/chemical carriers. The two ships, due for delivery in November and December 2005, are 46,200 dwt capacity.

NCC, which boasts a fleet of 12 chemical carriers, will long-term charter the ships to its minority owner Saudi Basic Industries Corp(Sabic).

NCC, established in 1990, is 80%-owned by the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia and 20% by Sabic.

The next available delivery slot at HMD is in the second quarter of 2006.