First bulk-to-box conversion cuts 5,000 tonnes—but gains 2,528 teu
COSCO Guangdong completes 3-month refit of 53,000 dwt bulker into 2,528 teu feeder
A Chinese shipyard has successfully converted a supramax bulk carrier into a containership, marking a milestone in vessel repurposing. COSCO (Guangdong) Shipyard completed the transformation of the Pu Tuo Hai, a 2007-built Diamond 53 bulker, into the Singapore River, a 2,528 TEU containership, in just over three months.
The vessel entered the Guangzhou facility on June 10 and underwent extensive modifications. Engineers removed the ship’s four cranes, elevated the wheelhouse by two decks, and installed cell guides in the cargo holds to support container stacks of up to seven tiers. While the original length (190 meters) and beam (32.29 meters) remained unchanged, the draft was reduced from 12.6 meters to 12 meters, lowering the deadweight from 53,000 tonnes to 48,000 tonnes.
Industry trends in vessel conversion: bulk-to-box conversion
The Singapore River retains its original MAN B&W 6S50MC-C engine, allowing a top speed of 15.5 knots. Though slower than most modern containerships, this speed is considered adequate for regional routes. The vessel has already secured employment with X-Press Feeders and is expected to join a scheduled liner service in October after ballasting to Ningbo.
COSCO Shipping Holdings
This project is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard converted the 2012-built kamsarmax Guang Qi De Er Ta into a 3,607 TEU containership by redesigning its cargo holds. Meanwhile, COSCO Shipping Bulk has ordered three 210,000 dwt newcastlemax bulk carriers from CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, designed to carry containers alongside bulk cargo and equipped for future methanol and ammonia fuel compatibility.
Upcoming conversions
The strategy reflects a growing trend in maritime logistics. During the pandemic, container shortages led to bulk carriers being adapted for box transport, with companies like Star Bulk securing class approval for such modifications. This flexibility allows operators to respond to shifting market demands.
A second conversion is already in progress at COSCO Guangdong. The Jiu Hua Hai, another Diamond 53 bulker, is expected to begin a charter with X-Press Feeders in late October or early November. These projects demonstrate the industry’s increasing reliance on adaptable vessel designs to optimize capacity and efficiency.
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