January 7 - Heavy lift shipping line TBS International has taken delivery of the newly-constructed ship M/V Omaha Belle from China Communications Construction Company Ltd / Nantong Yahua Shipbuilding Group.

The Omaha Belle is the fourth in a series of six Roymar Class 34,000 dwt multipurpose 'tweendecker ships that the company ordered at a purchase price of USD 35.4 million per ship. TBS expects to take delivery of the remaining two ships by Q3 2011.

With this delivery, TBS's current fleet expands to 50 ships with an aggregate of 1.51 million dwt, consisting of 28 'tweendeckers and 22 handymax/handysize bulk carriers, including specialised heavylift ships and newbuild tonnage.

Joseph Royce, chairman, CEO and president, commented: "We are pleased to have taken delivery of our fourth newbuild Roymar Class 'tweendecker, the M/V Omaha Belle, thereby expanding our operational fleet to 50 ships. The addition of this ship to our fleet further increases our operational flexibility, enhances our cargo transportation abilities and supports the requirements of our expanding customer base."