Siem Renews Contract for Seven Reefers
Norwegian liner Siem Shipping Inc. has won a one-year contract renewal for a regular weekly service from Ecuador to St. Petersburg, Russia. The contract extension for the service covers seven reefer vessels. The service, which employs seven vessel, is largely for banana trades and has been renewed for an additional year. The company did not, however, disclose any further details on the value of the contracts or expected start date. Star Reefers has been operating between Ecuador and Saint Petersburg for years and recently introduced an interim stop in Vlissingen, Netherlands. The Oslo-listed reefer player has started 2016 strongly with a near eight-fold increase in first quarter net profit. Net income for the quarter was $3.9m versus the $500,000 seen a year ago.
Trade Increase Hides Specialized Reefer Vessels Uncertainty
Drewry’s latest Reefer Shipping Market Annual Review and Forecast reports that worldwide perishable reefer trade increased by 52.1 million metric tons between 2002 and 2012, which represents by a combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. Seaborne perishable reefer cargo has increased by a CAGR of 3.3% (25.6 million metric tons) from 66.8 million metric tons in 2002 to 92.4 million metric tons in 2012. The highest percentage growth continues to be seen in the exotic fruit category (pineapples, kiwifruit and avocadoes). Despite its relatively small volume of 4.5 million metric tons in 2012, this sector has grown by a CAGR of 9.1% since 2002. In terms of tonnage, the highest growth has been in the meat category (comprising poultry, pork, beef/veal, offal and sheep meat).
Korean Shipyard Wins Auto Marine Transport PCTC Orders
Auto Marine Transport contracts Samjin Shipbuilding Industries Korea (Samjin) to build a series of pure car & truck carriers (PCTC's). Auto Marine Transport, a tonnage provider created with the assistance of Siem Car Carriers, sign an intiial agreement with the shipyard to build eight energy efficient pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels capable of carrying 6700 CEU (car equivalent units) and is made up of two firm orders and options for a further six vessels. Simon Stevens, Chairman of Siem Car Carriers, said
“We are very pleased to have played a part in helping to establish Auto Marine Transport as the tonnage provider to access the energy-efficient PCTC market.
Marine Terminals Welcomes M/V Star Stratos
International stevedore and terminal operating company Marine Terminals Corp. celebrated the maiden voyage arrival of Star Reefers’ new M/V Star Stratos into the Port of San Diego on July 12 with a commemorative plaque, presented to vessel Captain Antonio Arriesgado, Jr., by Port Commissioner Michael Bixler. Built in Japan, the reefer carrier has the capacity for 6,000 pallets under deck and 100 containers on deck. During this maiden vessel call, MTC discharged 5,144 pallets of Australian citrus products for Riversun Export PTY, Ltd. MTC Site Manager Gary Oleson spoke about anticipated cargo volumes.
Star Reefers, NYK Enter Agreement
Norwegian shipping firm Star Reefers has agreed with Japan's NYK to create a new joint pool and marketing company owned 50 percent each. The new company will be called NYK Star Reefers Ltd. and will control a combined fleet of 74 refrigerated vessels currently owned by the two firms, Star Reefers, formerly called Swan Reefer Inc., said in a statement. "This merger is a further step towards greater consolidation and regrouping of the owners in the industry -- which has experienced a number of difficult years," the statement said. "The new company will run a pool which will also welcome the participation of other owners in the industry," it said. NYK Star Reefers will be based in London, it said. - (Reuters)
