Meriaura Orders Cargo Vessel Pair from Royal Bodewes
Finnish shipping company Meriaura announced it has placed an order for two Ecotrader cargo ships from Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes. The ships will be built in Hoogezand for scheduled delivery in January and December 2026.The ships are 105 meters long, 1A ice classed 6750 DWT vessels, designed to achieve the lowest possible emission levels, Meriaura said. Like the EcoCoaster vessels Eeva VG and Mirva VG delivered in 2016, the newbuilds will be capable of operating on biofuel made from recycled raw material produced by Meriaura’s subsidiary VG-Ecofuel.
Voices: Bjarne Foldager, MAN Diesel & Turbo
When Bjarne Foldager, MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Vice President, Sales & Promotion, joined the company about one year ago, he replaced an industry icon, Ole Grøne, a ubiquitous figure at MAN D&T who after 40 years has transitioned to an advisor role with the company. We caught up with Foldager in his Copenhagen office to discuss emerging market trends from the perspective of the global marine power leader. Please provide a brief background, with details of your current position. My…
Market Recovery Continues Across Japan for WSS
Speaking ahead of Sea Japan today, WSS General Manager for Japan Yoshihiro Iizuka says that although the Japanese market is moving towards growth for 2014, the recovery will be stronger in the second half, with an increase in newbuilds expected towards the end of the year. Iizuka says: “Overall, the Japanese market is in recovery, with annual pay raises by the major corporates estimated at around 2-3% for 2014. However, the weakened Japanese Yen relative to the past couple of years has contributed to the widening of the trade deficit with particular reductions in export value.
Rickmers Group and Oaktree Form Strategic Partnership
Funds advised by Oaktree Capital Management, LP and the global shipping major Rickmers Group are joining forces to invest in eight plus eight eco designed newbuild container vessels. Oaktree Capital Management LP is a leading global investment management firm focused on alternative markets with US$81 billion assets under management (as at 30 September 2012). Rickmers will contribute its highly respected expertise in ship building, ship management and asset management. The strategic partnership between the two firms is expected to broaden over time. Shipping companies are increasingly demanding modern and energy efficient tonnage to reduce their operational expenses and importantly…
