Shanghai: Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering's new shipyard in Shandong, China, has delivered its first vessel, the Astra Centaurus, to the principals of London-based Rethymnis & Kulukundis.

The 58,518dwt Astra Centaurus, built to Lloyd's Register class, is the first of two DSME-designed supramax bulk carriers constructed by DSME Shandong to the latest environmental and structural standards. The second ship, Astra Perseus, is expected to be delivered in September 2012.

The Centaurus was verified by Lloyd's Register to be in accordance with EC Directives aimed at reducing the emission of SOx while in port. The ship is able to operate on distillate fuels in accordance with the latest California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations, is equipped with UV ballast-water treatment, and records an LR Green Passport-compliant inventory of hazardous materials. "Society is demanding safer, cleaner ships and we are using our experience and technical expertise to support their construction," said Nick Brown, LR's gm and marine manager for Greater China.

"This is a very significant delivery for us because Astra Centaurus is the first green bulk carrier of our newbuilding project," Dmitri Monioudis, Rethymnis & Kulukundis technical director, said.