Greek Shippers Continue to Invest in Newbuildings

Greek shipowners continue with their shopping spree when it comes to ordering newbuild vessels. Namely, Greek shippers have ordered 11 vessels with an estimated price of $390.5 million, according to International Shipbroking Company Golden Destiny.

The first on the list to add new vessels is Consolidated Marine Management Inc., which has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries by placing an order for two 114,000dwt tankers plus an option for two additional ones. The purchase price of the vessels is $ 96 million and they are slated for delivery in 2015. The second tanker operator, Navios Acquisition of Greece has placed an order for two 51,200dwt eco design MR tankers with Dae Sun Shipbuilding & Engineering. The eco design tankers are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2014.

In the bulk carrier segment, three shippers were active in the order spree. Golden Union ordered a pair of 180,000dwt bulk carriers at Hyundai Heavy Industries with a delivery planned for 2014 and 2015. Each bulker has an estimated price of $ 49 million. Atlantic Bulk Carriers has added to its order-book three 57,000dwt Supramaxes for $ 27.5million each. Hyundai Vinashin will be in charge of executing the construction work and delivery which is scheduled for 2015 and 2016.

The final two orders are linked to Transbulk Management, which is said to have expanded its fleet with two 39,500dwt handymax vessels. These two vessels, expected to join the company by 2015, will be built by Zhejiang Yangfan with the cost of $ 46 million. As for the second-hand vessels market a purchase of six vessels, mainly bulk carriers has been recorded, followed by three contracts with undisclosed terms.

As for the second-hand vessels market a purchase of six vessels, mainly bulk carriers has been recorded, followed by three contracts with undisclosed terms.

World Maritime News Staff, June 6, 2013