Fleet Renewal

Dryship Fleet Renewal Continues

DryShips, Inc., announced that tThe company has entered into an agreement to purchase a 2001 built, 172,579 dwt Capesize bulk carrier, for $152.25 million. It will be delivered, charter free, during the second quarter of 2008. ƒnThe Company also entered into an agreement to sell the 1993 built, 149,475 dwt Capesize bulk carrier, MV Netadola for $93.9 million. Delivery to the new owners will take place during the first quarter of 2008. Once the sale is concluded the company expects to realize a gain of approximately $62.2 million. ¡§We are pleased to continue with our strategy of fleet renewal. The replacement of MV Nedatola, a 14 year old smaller Capesize vessel, with a six year old modern Capesize dry bulk carrier, enhances our earnings potential and the longevity of our cash flow,¡¨ said George Economou, Chairman and CEO of DryShips Inc. ¡§We continue to take full advantage of the strong fundamentals of the dry bulk industry with our modern fleet.¡¨

Transpetro Signs Contract for Tankers

According to a report from Business News America, Transpetro, the transport arm of Brazil's federal energy company Petrobras (NYSE: PBR), has signed a contract with the Eisa shipyard for the construction of four Panamax oil tankers. The $349m deal is part of Transpetro's fleet renewal program. (Source: Business News America)

Green Reefers Sells Vessels for $30m

Green Reefers agreed to sell the M/V Green Tundra, Green Summer, Green Spring and Green Winter for $30 million. The vessels, built in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1989 respectively are each of about 270,000 cu. ft. The vessels will be sold to a Norwegian single purpose entity initiated by Platou Finans. Green Reefers will participate in the new owning company with a shareholding of 25%. The vessels will be bareboat chartered back to Green Reefers for periods of 2-8 months.

DryShips adds Dry Bulk Carriers

Greek shipping company DryShips Inc., which specializes in dry bulk carriers, has sold a pair of older ships and added two newer vessels to its fleet. The company sold its 24-year-old Panamax bulk carrier MV Striggla for $12.1 million and its 17-year-old Panamax bulk carrier MV Daytona for $25.3 million. DryShips expects to book a combined gain of about $15 million from the divestitures. Meanwhile, the company bought a 10-year-old Capesize bulk carrier, MV Cape Venture, for $62 million

FreeSeas Inc. Takes Delivery of the Handysize Free Goddess

FreeSeas Inc. (Nasdaq:FREE) (Nasdaq:FREEW) (Nasdaq:FREEZ), a provider of seaborne transportation for drybulk cargoes, announced that it has taken delivery of the 1995-built, 22,051 dwt Handysize M/V Free Goddess on October 30, 2007. The vessel then began a time charter at $13,000 per day, which is expected to last approximately one month. The vessel will thereafter begin a two-year time charter at $19,250 per day. Mr

Proposed Shipbuilding Centers of Excellence

Davie Yards Inc. (TSX:DAV) introduced its proposal for the implementation of a National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy aimed at renewing the federal fleet and building world-class shipbuilding capability in Canada, while providing more predictable work for the maritime industry. "Davie's proposal is based on our belief that Canadian yards can achieve a competitive position vis-à-vis European yards in building complex ships

Green Reefers to Buy Vessel

Green Reefers ASA has agreed to buy the Silver Fjord (ex. "Frio Hamburg") for $10,4 mill. The vessel is 194,000 cu. ft. and built in Denmark in 1997. Delivery will take place in June/July 2006 and the vessel will be renamed Green Tromsø. In June 2005 the company acquired the sistervessel Green Bergen (ex. "Frio Pusan"). The purchase of Green Tromsø is part of a fleet renewal program where the company is selling the smaller and older units and buying modern and larger units.

Dryships Continues Fleet Renewal

DryShips, Inc., announced that the company has entered into an agreement to purchase a 2001 built, 172,579 dwt Capesize bulk carrier, for $152.25m. The vessel will be delivered charter free during the second quarter of 2008. The company has entered into an agreement to sell the 1993 built, 149,475 dwt Capesize bulk carrier, MV Netadola for $93.9m. Delivery to the new owners will take place during the first quarter of 2008

Canada Launches Shipbuilding Consultation

July 27 marked the opening of the Government of Canada's Shipbuilding Consultation, which seeks input from key stakeholders on comprehensive and viable options for a long-term, sustainable Canadian shipbuilding strategy. The Government is committed to building and maintaining an effective federal fleet of ships for maritime security and services. Fleet renewal plans could see the Government invest in excess of $40 billion to build more than 50 large vessels over the next 30 years.

Ultrabulk Orders Handysize Bulk Carriers

Ultrabulk signs contracts with a Japanese yard for construction of new generation handysize bulkers Denmark-based Ultrabulk has placed an order with a major Japanese ship yard for the construction and delivery of one new generation super ECO-designed handysize bulker of 38,000tdw size for delivery in 2014, with Ultrabulk’s option to extend the order with one additional vessel. The vessel(s) will be equipped with an electronic main engine as well as other equipment and systems which are