September 6 - TBS International has taken delivery of Montauk Maiden from Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group, the third in a series of six Roymar class 34,000 dwt multipurpose tweendecker ships costing USD 35.4 million each.

Like its sister ships, the Montauk Maiden has box-shaped holds, open hatches and fully retractable hydraulic tweendecks, is geared with 35 and 40 tonne cranes combinable up to 80 tonnes, and has a modern fuel-efficient engine enabling her to operate effectively at 15 knots.

The Dublin-registered company expects to take delivery of the final three ships this year and next. Montauk Maiden's arrival brings TBS's current fleet to 49 vessels with an aggregate of 1.48 million dwt, consisting of 27 tweendeckers and 22 handymax/handysize bulk carriers.

Joseph Royce, TBS chairman, CEO and president, commented: "We are pleased to have taken delivery of our third newbuilding Roymar Class tweendecker. The addition of this vessel to our fleet enhances our operational efficiency and versatility."

The TBS shipping network operates liner, parcel and dry bulk services, supported by a fleet of multipurpose tweendeckers and handysize and handymax bulk carriers, including specialised heavylift vessels and newbuild tonnage.