BBC Chartering has confirmed that it has signed contracts for six ships that were previously sailing for Zeamarine.
A spokesperson for BBC confirmed that the deal includes two F500 ships and four E/F vessels, all of which have a deadweight of approximately 12,500 tons. The length of the time charter agreements, however, cannot be disclosed.
Two of the vessels form part of a redelivery of three multipurpose ships to Weco Shipping. The company’s ceo Rasmus Lund-Jacobsen confirmed that Ellensborg, Billesborg and Brattingsborg have been redelivered.
He added: “The contracts with Zeamarine were slated to expire this summer, so this change won't have a major impact on us.”
United Heavy Lift (UHL) has also taken over nine Zeamarine vessels. According to the company's fleet list, UHL Falcon, UHL Flash, UHL Fortune, UHL Future, UHL Fame, UHL Fast, UHL Focus, UHL Frontier and UHL Fusion have all been taken over by the Hamburg-headquartered shipping line.
There has been much speculation over Zeamarine and its fleet composition in recent weeks. During December, Sven Lundehn of Bremen-based tax consultant Alldatax was appointed as managing director of the shipping line and was tasked with restructuring of the business. At the time, Zeamarine said: “Contrary to the sentiment of the articles written, we can provide assurance that our company is performing and our shareholders are committed to their support for the continuation of our business.”
Further updates are expected to follow.
