By Paris Tsirigotis

 

The secondary market of bulk carriers has shown strong activity over the last weeks, with Greek shipowners playing a key role in the largest deals.

 

More specifically, the fleet of capesize bulkers of Danaos Corporation has recently reached double digits. In its fourth-quarter results, the US-listed company said it had agreed to acquire Guo May (built 2011) and Xin Hang (built 2010).

 

However, the acquisition of the Star Audrey (built in 2011) was also announced in the shipping company's annual report published in the last few days. It is a scrubber-equipped cape that, according to charterers, was sold in the past few weeks for about 27 million US dollars.

 

After the latest transaction, Danaos, which is one of the biggest international players in the containership industry, now controls 10 capesize bulkers, seven of which have already been delivered, while the last three will join the fleet by July.

 

The Greek shipping company managed to expand into large cargo ships when asset values were still at relatively low levels and reaped the benefits of the upward rally in freight rates during most of the first quarter of the year.

 

In terms of sales, Thenamaris has been associated in the last week with the concession of the oldest bulk carrier in its fleet. This is the supramax Seaboss (built 2004), which reportedly was sold for about 11.5-11.7 million dollars.

 

Moreover, Target Marine has recently completed the sale of two modern bulkers at particularly high prices. In particular, it granted the ultramaxes Syros Island (built in 2015) and Andros Island (built in 2016), for 26.5 million dollars and 27.5 million dollars respectively.

 

Mobility for 'green' investments in coastal shipping

 

 

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy is conducting studies in order to secure the necessary funds for green investments in an effort to make use of more EU financial tools for rendering coastal shipping "green".

 

Time is already counting down to 2030 based on the European targets for reducing gas emissions in the context of the "Fit for 55" package, but also the EU ETS from which Greek shipping has been exempted until 2030.

 

At the same time, initiatives are already being taken in the private sector to build new ships with alternative fuels, as in the case of the expected signing of a shipbuilding contract between Attica Group and the Elefsis Shipyards.

 

The president of ONEX Panos Xenokostas recently said that the first signature with the Attica Group is expected at the end of May for the construction of a passenger ferry, 100 meters long, which will be dual fuel, while he did not rule out an agreement for the construction of a second ship of the same type until the end of the year.

 

Meanwhile, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianidis, has stated that in the negotiations for the "greening" of the coastal shipping fleet, which will be permanent, specific benefits and costs need to be presented.