S & P

A Kamsarmax resale the M/V GRANDA M (82,000 dwt 2012 blt Jiangsu Eastern) originally ordered by Swiss owners, is reported sold by the builders to Singapore based buyers for US$ 20.7m.

In the Panamax sector the M/V GOLDEN GLORY (70,296 dwt 1996 blt Sanoyas) after her failed sale back in July at region US$ 9.5m, has now reported sold for US$ 6.5m most probably to Chinese buyers.

An increased activity in Supramax/Handymax sector noted this week.

The M/V KT VENTURE (55,868 dwt 2007 blt Kawasaki) has reportedly been sold by clients of Nagashiki Kisen to unnamed Greek Buyers for a price of US$ 18.5m while the Turkish-owned M/V BAYTUR (52,261 dwt 2001 blt Daedong) reported sold at US$ 13.6m to Indonesian buyers.

The CH. F. Ahrenkiel controlled M/V NORMANNIA (42,648 dwt 1997 blt I.H.I.) understood to have been sold at a relatively firm US$ 8.9m, to Greek interests. Understand that the obtained price is reflecting the good class position of the ship as she had passed her ss in July 2012.

Finally, in the handysize sector, 2 x resale “Trader” class handysize bulkers have been sold by clients of Tsuji Heavy Industries to undisclosed Greek buyers. The vessels, which are 30,000 dwt and which will deliver from the yard during 1st quarter 2013, are understood to have achieved a price of US$ 17.5m each which includes the installation of log stanchions.

In the wet S+P front, the Salamon’s VLCC “MERIDIAN LION” (273,769 dwt 1997 blt Hyundai) reported sold for a price in excess of US$ 26m to Russian oil company Rosneft.

Elsewhere in the market the zinc coated methanol carrier M/T SHOKO MARU (30,952 dwt 1998 blt Minami Nippon) has been sold to Middle East based Buyers at region US$ 8.8m. The capability to carry Methanol has proved an advantage in recent months with Buyers offering a significant premium on the price over standard product tankers in order to secure the tonnage.

In the LPGs the Japanese owned “MORNING AIR” (5,020 cbm 2010 blt Nakatani) has gone to Chinese buyers for US$ 19m while Middle Eastern buyers have paid US$ 13m to purchase the “GASCHEM BERGEN” (8,239 cbm 1991 blt Brand Werft).

NEWBUILDING

Further to last week’s VLCC orders at HHI, China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) are reported to have ordered three plus three 320,000 DWT VLCCs at SWS for a price in the region USD 84‐85 Mill and delivery from end of 2014. In the products sector, Clients of Metrostar Management have contracted six firm plus four option MR tankers from SPP in Korea for delivery again from end of 2014.

These vessels replace a previous order for four 3,600 TEU container vessels originally placed by Metrostar in 2010. Clients of Stena meanwhile are reported to have declared the 7th and 8th options in their series of 50,000 DWT chemical parcel tankers at GSI with a price believed to be in the region of USD 38 Mill per vessel and delivery set for these latest units from the end of 2015. They are understood to still hold an additional two options for further vessels with the yard.

There has been significant activity in the container market led by an order for five option five 14,000 TEU vessels from Seaspan Corporation at HHI. Delivery for the firm vessels is planned for within 2015 and all the vessels have a reported price tag in the lower USD 100 Mills. These Vessels will be chartered to Yang Ming Lines for a 10+2 years. HMD, have signed to build one plus one x gearless 1,000 TEU ships, with the first Vessel set for 1H 2014 delivery for Clients of Nam Sung Shipping. The price is understood to be around USD 17.5 Mill be Vessels, which whilst does set a new lower benchmark, we are led to believe that the ship is for a repeat or an older design to take advantage of the early delivery berth.

In other sectors, Evergas have placed an order at Qidong Dajiang Shipbuilding for four 30,000 cbm LNG/Ethylene/LPG vessels for deliver in 2015. Finally, Hoegh Autoliners have reportedly placed an order for three 8,500 unit car carriers with Xiamen Shipbuilding for delivery in 2015.