Friday & Co Shipbrokers has brokered a major chartering deal between heavy lift shipping specialist Boskalis and a Chinese charterer, to transport the car carrier Floor (formerly Fremantle Highway) from the Netherlands to China for extensive repairs.
Boskalis’ semi-submersible heavy lift ship, Boka Vanguard, will carry the damaged vessel to Asia. Fremantle Highway, which was heavily damaged by a fire in the North Sea in 2023, was initially en route from Bremerhaven to Singapore before being saved and docked in Rotterdam.
Insurers deemed the vessel a constructive total loss (CTL) and it was acquired for a nominal sum. The vessel then underwent extensive modifications in Rotterdam, where all damaged and burned-out decks were cut out making it viable for transportation to China where it will be refitted for use. Floor is being prepared for a 2025 re-entry into the global pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) fleet.
This was a first-of-a-kind project for sale and purchase shipbroker Friday & Co. Justin Archard, who joined the firm recently, leveraged his extensive experience in heavy lift chartering to orchestrate the complex logistics and negotiations between the parties.
”Brokering this fix with Boskalis, the Chinese charterers and Hamburg Chartering Services (HCS) was an engaging and challenging project,” said Archard. “From initial contact, we thoroughly assessed potential vessels and ultimately selected the Boka Vanguard for its unrivaled capabilities.”
Friday & Co provided representation for its client during pre-loading preparations, and a marine warranty surveyor was engaged to address safety requirements and structural adaptations post-fire. The modifications to Floor’s structure following steel cuts altered its bending and twisting characteristics added complexity to the load-out process.
The loading process took place in Rotterdam, where Boka Vanguard submerged to a depth of 24 m to allow Floor to be manoeuvred onboard by tugboats and secured with custom-built supports. The vessel has now embarked on its 55-day journey to China, where high demand for car carriers underscores the importance of this rebuild.
Friday & Co also collaborated with Hamburg Chartering Services, Boskalis, Koole Contractors, ABL warranty surveyors, Oudkerk Agencies, and Boluda Towage to bring this project to fruition.
