Two more bulker owners are looking to take a slice of lucrative container markets by loading boxes on to dry cargo vessels.
Taiwan’s Franbo Lines said five of its 18 bulkers could take containers on deck and advantage of record rates.
The company's vice general manager Lin Cheng-he told domestic media that the company could earn more carrying boxes from Asia to Europe and the US.
"We have five geared ships of around 17,000 dwt that can each carry around 212 teu on deck, so no modifications are required," he was quoted as saying.
Asian analysts have also noted that Swire Bulk has been carrying a small number of containers on its ships.
Golden Ocean involved
And John Fredriksen-controlled Golden Ocean Group has told TradeWinds it is actively looking at how its bulkers could be used to carry containers.
The shipowner is working with classification societies to investigate how boxes could be carried on vessels ranging in size from ultramax up to capesize, chief executive Ulrik Andersen said.
Some dry cargo vessel owners are not interested, however.
The Loadstar reported that Chinese Maritime Transport chairman Tai Sheng-chien told a press conference earlier in September: "Recently, there have been many strange happenings, particularly retrofitting bulkers to ship containers.
"These are special circumstances, and our company won't take this direction," he added.
Greece's Star Bulk Carriers denied it had done a deal to carry boxes on one of its capesizes.
North P&I Club issues guidance
The North P&I Club has issued an advisory note to owners thinking of switching into the container trades.
"The recent demand for container slots outstripping supply has led to an increase in requests for advice from bulk operators on the operational and contractual questions to consider when evaluating whether to load large quantities of containers on bulk carriers," the insurer said.
The club said the switch can be done, but requires a lot of careful planning, collaboration and contractual scrutiny.
Owners should first liaise with underwriters, and the vessel’s classification society and flag state, to seek their guidance and advice as to what modifications, if any, would be required to comply with their requirements, the company advised.
