Covid-19 vaccines have not just helped revive dry bulk shipping; they also probably inspired some newcomers into the market to name their companies after them.

That may be the case of Moderna Marine Management. The Athens-based outfit filed for registration with Greek authorities in November last year, just a few weeks before pharmaceuticals company Moderna Inc obtained US approval for its vaccine against Covid-19.

Managers at Moderna Marine did not respond to a request for comment on the outfit’s background and plans.

Shipping market sources have linked a member of Greece’s Kairaktidis family to the company.

Thanos Kairaktidis is known as the founder and legal representative of Marvin Shipping, a tanker company based in Piraeus. In an e-mail to TradeWinds, Kairaktidis denied that Marvin Shipping has “any relation whatsoever” to Moderna Marine.

A little more clarity exists about Moderna Marine’s market moves.

Since 19 January, Equasis has listed the company as the new manager of the 80,300-dwt Asia Opal (built 2011). The STX Offshore & Shipbuilding-constructed kamsarmax was reported sold to unidentified buyers in December 2020 — about the time when Moderna Marine obtained its Greek registration.

The ship's previous owner was HBC Asia, the Singapore-based branch of German shipping firm Hamburg Bulk Carriers (HBC). The company is believed to have raised between $12.2m and $12.8m from the sale.

The Asia Opal is now sailing as the Spetses Spirit. The ship had its special survey due in January and already has a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) installed, according to Clarksons.

Next buyer, Chronos Shipping

Greek outfits such as Moderna Marine have been quick to pile into dry bulk tonnage after coronavirus vaccines started circulating widely since December 2020, spurring hopes of an economic revival.

Clans such as the Eugenides, Andrianopoulos and Lemos families entered, rejoined or made their first deals in the market after several years.

The most eye-catching moves concerned capesizes. However, Moderna Marine shows that kamsarmaxes also had their fair share of attention.

In another example, TradeWinds understands that Piraeus-based Chronos Shipping was behind a $25.5m purchase of Wisdom Marine’s 81,000-dwt Sakizaya Noble (built 2017) in December last year.

In a more recent deal reported by several brokers since 22 January, unidentified Greek owners are said to have spent between $13m and $13.3m on the 78,800-dwt Pantera Rosa (built 2009).

The vessel is listed under Japanese ownership and under the operation of Athens-based Aquavita International. Its robust price likely reflects the fact that the Sanoyas-built kamsarmax is fitted with a BWTS and has no special survey due for another three years.