Boeing 737-800BCF project in China sees orders top 150

Visitors watch a Boeing plane model at the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)

The 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) project in China has received in excess of 150 orders, according to Boeing China on Tuesday.

The 737-800BCF project recently received 12 new orders, showing strong demand for converted freighters in the express delivery and e-commerce market, said Boeing China.

In 2016, Boeing launched the 737-800BCF project exclusively in China, where there is a surging e-commerce industry and a massive market.

To date, Boeing and its partners have established production lines for the project in three Chinese cities: Shanghai, Jinan and Guangzhou.

The 737-800BCF freighters are suited to the transport of express cargo on domestic or short-haul routes, with a payload of up to 23.9 tonnes and a range of 3,750 km.

According to Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook released in 2020, the global civil fleet will need 2,820 freighters, including 1,220 standard body converted freighters, to meet market demand.

China remains the world's second-largest civil aviation market, with continuous growth in total turnover, passenger traffic and cargo volume.