Meriaura has signed a long-term contract with Aalto Shipping Company for the time charter of the dry cargo vessel Airisto, which has a ice-class 1A rating.
According to Meriaura, as the vessel has a large cubic capacity – 12,700 cu m – it is capable of transporting a substantial volume of bulk cargoes; and two separate cargo holds and partial tweendecks facilitate the transport of part or project cargoes.
"With this vessel type we respond to customer needs and to changing material flows in the Baltic Sea,” said Beppe Rosin, vice managing director of Meriaura.
Rosin added that the company is looking continuously for potential purchases or charters of ships similar in size to Airisto in order to fulfil its fleet expansion goal.
The vessel will be delivered to Meriaura at the end of September and will serve on the Baltic and North Seas.
Aalto Shipping commenced operations earlier this year when it acquired two modern ice-strengthened dry bulk carriers, operating under the Finnish flag.
Tatu Laurila, managing director, Aalto Shipping noted that this increases the tonnage sailing under the Finnish flag, adding that the company's third ship was built in the Netherlands and is in excellent condition.
www.meriaura.fi
