Geoff Garfield London



Turkish owner Arkas has returned to Germany's Peene-Werft to build up to four more 1,200-teu containerships.

They will be sisters to a series of four vessels already delivered by the Detlef Hegemann group yard to the Istanbul-based owner.

The latest deal is for two ships and options for another pair. It remains on financing subjects.

A Peene-Werft spokesman declines to comment on the contract but sources say the first two ships are planned for delivery in late 2004 and early 2005.

Peene-Werft