HONG KONG—Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world’s largest shipbuilder, said it received orders for 22 oil tankers valued at $2.4 billion from Europe this week as global demand increases for fuel.

The shipbuilder won contracts for six very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, 14 160,000-ton tankers and two 114,000 ships during the Poseidonia 2008 exhibition in Athens this week, Park Zoon Soo, a spokesman at Hyundai Heavy, said Thursday, confirming a Maeil Business News report. The company had announced some of the orders on June 3. No buyers were identified.

Yards in South Korea, the world’s largest shipbuilding nation, are expanding capacity and using new methods to build vessels, such as building on land, as order backlogs stretch into 2012. Expanding global trade and demand for fuel to support economic growth are increasing the need for more vessels.

Hyundai Heavy received $8.34 billion in orders for ships and offshore structure in the first four months, more than tripling from $2.47 billion it won a year earlier. Its backlog for these businesses reached $38.1 billion.     

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., the world’s third-largest shipbuilder, said Wednesday it received $2.5 billion in orders over the past two weeks, including the $310 million for two oil tankers the newspaper reported Thursday. (Bloomberg)

Aone completes acquisition of ScanAsia Overseas

ABOITIZ One Inc. (Aone), also known as 2GO Express, the logistics arm of Aboitiz Transport Systems Corp., has completed the acquisition of ScanAsia Overseas Inc. (ScanAsia).

DHL Express Philippines will continue to operate from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, despite the pullout of rivals United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) and Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) from the former US military hub in Asia.

TO recycle parts and other materials from old ships that may be used to build new ones, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) plans to build three ship-breaking facilities around the country.

WELLINGTON—Air New Zealand Ltd., the nation’s biggest airline, plans to meet at least 10 percent of its annual fuel bill with crop-based alternatives by 2013.

HONG KONG—Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world’s largest shipbuilder, said it received orders for 22 oil tankers valued at $2.4 billion from Europe this week as global demand increases for fuel.

TOKYO—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Japan’s second-largest shipping line by sales, rose in Tokyo trading after Mizuho Securities Co. raised its rating on the stock as rates for transporting iron ore and other commodities increased.