Scandinavian order for Halla

Denmark's Torm shipping company says that it and Sweden's Gotland have placed an order for a twin-hulled 105,000 deadweight tonne product carrier vessel from South Korea's Halla Shipyard.

Torm declined to give any price for the order, which it said was due for completion in the first quarter of 1999. It also said it had sold another 83,000 deadweight tonne carrier, jointly owned with Gotland, to foreign interests but would charter the vessel until the new South Korean-built tanker was delivered.

Torm said it expected the sale to have a positive effect on its half-year result.