Strong activity in the container shipping market is pushing shipowners to look beyond traditional newbuilding orders, with plans now underway to convert at least two Supramax bulk carriers into containerships with a capacity of approximately 2,500 TEU, according to Alphaliner.
The vessels selected for conversion are Diamond 53 open-hatch bulk carriers, mainly built between 2005 and 2011 at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard in Jiangyin, China. Their double-hull open-hatch design makes them among the most practical candidates for conversion compared to conventional bulk carriers.
The planned modifications include:
- removal of four central cargo cranes;
- raising the accommodation block by approximately two decks;
- installation of container securing systems and cargo guides inside the holds.
Following the conversion, the vessels will be capable of carrying containers stacked up to seven tiers on deck while retaining their original dimensions of approximately 190 meters in length and 32.29 meters in beam.
Work on the first vessel is expected to begin in late May or early June, with the converted ship likely becoming available for charter in China roughly three months after the project starts.
Although the Diamond 53 class has a maximum speed of just over 15 knots, Alphaliner believes this will not significantly limit market demand. With carriers increasingly seeking lower-specification and slower vessels, the converted ships could find profitable employment on regional, feeder, and domestic routes, where vessel availability is often more important than speed.
Alphaliner noted that open-hatch bulk carriers are currently the only realistic candidates for this type of conversion, as standard bulk carriers would require far more extensive and costly structural modifications.
The company added that these projects are another sign of continuing tightness in the container shipping market. Despite ongoing fleet expansion, vessel availability remains limited, while strong freight rates continue to encourage the introduction of unconventional tonnage solutions.
The growing overlap between bulk and container shipping is not entirely new. Earlier reports indicated that COSCO Shipping Bulk ordered a series of Newcastlemax vessels capable of transporting both bulk cargo and containers, with future-ready methanol and ammonia propulsion concepts integrated into their design.
