Golden Ocean

Acquisition of Four Capesize Newbuilding Contracts

Golden Ocean Group Limited has acquired two newbuilding contracts at Daehan Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., South Korea and two newbuilding contracts at Zhoushan Jinhaiwan Shipyard in China. The vessels of 170,000 dwt and 176.000 dwt respectively will be delivered between December 2008 and October 2009. The total purchase price for the four units is $296m. Given the continuous positive outlook for the global steel production and the age profile of the existing capesize fleet, the management has a positive market view for this sector going forward. The Board of Golden Ocean finds the combination of price and time of delivery attractive, and an additional step in its ambitious growth strategy. The company has been granted the option for an additional two vessels from each yard, and these vessels can be delivered within first half of 2010. The financing of the newbuildings will be accomplished through a combination of bank debt and liquidity generated from Golden Ocean. In addition sale and lease back structures will be considered.

Golden Ocean Halts Legal Action

Golden Ocean Group announced an end to its legal dispute with S.A. Marine Corp. of South Africa following a successful resolution. The announcement follows a capital injection of $41 million into S.A. Marine.

Golden Ocean Announces Vessel Sales

Golden Ocean Group Limited has agreed to get released from the bare boat agreements for the two 1990 built Panamax vessels M/V Golden Glory and M/V Golden Gem against purchasing the vessels for $11m per vessel. The company has agreed to sell the two vessels for net sale proceeds of $60m in total. Delivery to the buyers is expected to take place in September 2007. This transaction will give a positive addition to net income of approximately $23m

Greek Shipping Company Gets Hit With Defaulted Junk Bonds

A Greek-owned shipping company said on Thursday it would seek damages from holders of its defaulted junk bonds who last week "arrested" one of the company's ships as security for a $175 million repayment claim. The 25,900 gt Ocelotmax has been held in the port of Pusan, Korea since August 4, and is unable to trade until released. Enterprises Shipholding defaulted on the bond's $7.76 million semi-annual interest coupon in July.

Fruit of the Orient

Through a longstanding blend of organizational discipline and an unerring drive for the highest levels of automation attainable in shipbuilding processes, the industry in Japan demonstrates resilience founded on continuing productivity advances. Untiring efforts to seek new ways of reducing man-hours and lead times is wholly characteristic of Japanese companies, as they rise to the intensified challenge posed by equally resolute South Korean yards.

Golden Stena Weco Invests in Chinese Tanker

Golden Stena Weco recently invested in its first tanker within the framework of the newly established joint venture.   The 9,000 dwt tanker, called Golden Adventure, will be delivered from the Chinese shipyard Dongfang Shipbuilding in the next few days after reprofiling. “The Golden Adventure is the first tanker in our jointly owned fleet and will be employed in transporting Golden Agri’s palm oil cargoes mainly in Asia

Hall Elected President of PVA

Fred Hall was elected PVA 2002 President on Tuesday, February 19 during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2002 in Biloxi, Miss. Hall is Vice President and General Manager of the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, Port Jefferson, N.Y., a provider of ferry service across the Long Island Sound. This ferry service has been in business since 1883 and now operates three 100-vehicle/1000-passenger vessels

NASSCO’s New Product Carrier Goes to Sea

The M/T Golden State departed on her inaugural sea trials on December 3.  The 600 ft ship was built in San Diego by General Dynamics NASSCO and is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. Shipping Partners in January 2009. The Golden State is the first ship of the “State” class and will be used in coastal trade, carrying petroleum and chemical products.  (www.nassco.com)

USCG Photo: Golden Seas Anchored Near Dutch Harbor

The bulk carrier Golden Seas was towed into anchoring position in Broad Bay near Dutch Harbor by the tug Tor Viking II Dec. 7. The Tor Viking II rendezvoused with the Golden Seas and was able tow the ship more than 500 miles along the Aleutian Islands to safe harbor near Dutch Harbor.  

Far East Holidays Cripple Shipbrokers' Forecasts

The panamax market is clouded by the prospect of Far Eastern holidays in less than two weeks, shipbrokers said on Wednesday. Brokers are unwilling to give forecasts beyond April 29 - the start of Golden Week. "We made it through Easter unscathed, but Golden Week is a different matter. Every year we're shocked at the slack trade, it's like we forget how important the Far Eastern market is," a broker said. Inquiry for Pacific basin panamaxes remained slow with modern tonnage hoping for $11