CPLP to Fit Six more Ships with Scrubbers

Capital Product Partners (CPLP), a Greek shipping company engaged in the seaborne transportation of a wide range of cargoes, including dry cargo and containerized goods, said that it is planning to install exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubber) in six more vessels.

Jerry Kalogiratos, Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner, said: “We are pleased to have concluded the first scrubber retrofit on the M/V Agamemnon and to see the vessel subsequently deliver under its new long-term charter until 2024. The scrubber retrofit combined with passing of the special survey of the vessel and the associated off hire, as well as certain additional one-off expenses incurred this quarter have negatively affected our common unit coverage."

Kalogiratos added: "While we expect the scrubber retrofits on at least six additional vessels over the coming months to generate additional volatility in our operating income and common unit coverage, we believe that once the retrofits have been completed, the Partnership will benefit in the long run from increased cash flow generation and visibility."

Analysts estimate that the idle fleet presently stands at around 3.3% of the total worldwide container fleet including vessels out of service for scrubber retrofits.

Off-hire related to scrubber installation continues to underpin the charter market, as off-hire periods have so far exceeded in most cases the original forecasts due to shortage of dry-docking space, materials and manpower.