Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has contracted with Namura Shipbuilding Co. to construct two 250,000-ton carriers that NYK will put into service moving ore from Western Australia.

Both vessels, referred to as WOZMAX carriers, are to be completed by 2010 and 2011. NYK says that WOZMAX is an acronym: 'W' stands for Western Australia, 'OZ' is common slang for Australia, and 'MAX' refers to the maximum-size vessel for ore transport from Western Australia.

Visit www.nyk.com.