British ship register gains quarter of a million tons in August
Average age of fleet also continues to reduce as newbuilds pile on



There were a total of 27 vessel movements on the UK Ship Register during August 2007 resulting in just under 250,000 gross tonnage being added.

Amongst the most significant vessels to join were three Maersk vessels: MAERSK MAINE, MAERSK MARYLAND and MAERSK VERMONT. All three are container ships transferred in from other Flags and built in 1991.

The Rio Tinto Shipping 53,998 GT new build bulk carrier RTM WAKMATHA joined the UK Ship Register in August. This ship is the first of a series of 5 ships due to be delivered on a rolling basis over the next two years, with two during next year and the final two being delivered in 2009.

The CMA CGM 25,803 GT container ship CMA CGM UTRILLO and the Wappen Reederei 5,200 GT oil/chemical tanker also joined the UK Ship Register.

The average age of the UK fleet continues to reduce as the majority of the vessels coming onto the UK Ship Register are either new builds or of younger tonnage. The average age of vessels flagging-in during August was nine years.