They will replace the Samsung-built 1999 sisters TASMANIAN ACHIEVER and VICTORIAN RELIANCE, which were lengthened by 32 metres by Singapore’s Pan United in Singapore in 2004 to increase their capacity by 50 per cent, and underwent life-extension work also in Singapore, at Sembawang, in 2014.

So far few details of the newbuildings have been released but earlier artist’s impressions showed a superstructure-forward design with a covered weather deck and engines aft. Sources say the ships will enter service in September 2019 and December 2019.

Toll Shipping is owned by logistics giant Toll Holdings, itself now owned by Japan Post.

Jinling is nominally the builder of Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer’s TITANIC II replica cruise liner but that project is currently under a cloud and appears stalled.