Commercial management of SFL Corp's handysize bulk carriers has been transferred from Golden Ocean Group to Belships' operating arm, Lighthouse Navigation in Oslo.
The New York-listed SFL's chief operating officer, Trym Sjolie, told TradeWinds that the vessels’ new manager will be a better fit than Golden Ocean, the bulker giant.
Both Golden Ocean and SFL are controlled by John Fredriksen.
“Although SFL have been very satisfied with the previous operational setup, it was always meant to be temporary as the smaller bulk sector is not a core business area for Golden Ocean, who want to focus on their panamax and capesize fleet,” Sjolie said on Tuesday.
“SFL believes that the Belships system is a good fit as regards both capabilities and location and we are looking forward to working with them.”
Management of the seven geared vessels will be transferred to Lighthouse gradually over the next few months as the ships complete their current voyages, Sjolie said.
The deal was agreed earlier this month, TradeWinds understands.
The vessels comprise the 31,700-dwt SFL Dee (built 2013); the 31,600-dwt SFL Clyde, the 33,800-dwt SFL Kent, the 34,000-dwt SFL Trent, the 31,900-dwt SFL Tyne (all built 2012); and the 33,800-dwt SFL Medway and 34,000-dwt SFL Spey (both built 2011).
The move is the first big coup for Lighthouse's new commercial desk in Oslo, which was established over the summer and will focus on the Atlantic market, as TradeWinds has reported.
The desk is largely manned with staff who were previously employed with Belships' rival Western Bulk.
Lighthouse also has a long-established base in Bangkok, where it handles Asia-focused chartering, cargo trading and other services.
