CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Co (CSSC Shipping), the shipowning arm of the shipbuilding group of the same name, is planning to splash out CNY 7bn ($1.22bn) on newbuildings this year.

The company is looking to order bulkers, boxships and tankers, as well as offshore vessels andplatforms at yards under the wing of southern shipbuilding group China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC).

CSSC Shipping’s plan has surprised some industry players as they believe the move is a little on the late side.

“Shipbuilding