HMD has signed a newbuilding contract with BP Shipping for six firm 47,000dwt product/chemical tankers plus six optional vessels. The vessels will have a length of 183m, a width of 32.3m, and depth of 18.8m with a service speed of 15.2 knots. Delivery of the first 6 ship will be made between the second quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005.

HMD also has orders from Tsakos shipping & Trading and the National Iranian Tanker company. HMD is now working on the extension of Dockwise’s heavylift vessel, Blue Marlin, HMD has so far received over $1bn in newbuilding contracts this year, and has an order backlog of 65 ships, sufficient work for the next two and a half years.