The Saverys family-controlled Compagnie Maritime Belge has emerged as the seller of four midsize boxships to MPC Container Ships.
The quartet has been identified as the 3,836-teu Detroit Express, Livorno Express, Genoa Express and Barcelona Express (all built 2014).
All four are commercially controlled by CMB’s container shipping division Delphis under commercial leasing agreements with Ocean Yield of Norway.
Oslo-listed MPC Container said on Thursday that it had bought four unnamed 3,800-teu wide-beam eco design vessels for $180m in total.
Chief executive Constantin Baack described the purchase as a continuation of his company’s selective fleet renewal strategy.
The vessels are expected to be handed over to MPC Container in the fourth quarter.
That will bring to six the number of boxships that CMB has sold in recent months.
In July, the Antwerp-based company sold the 2,556-teu Santa Marta Express (built 2010) and Puerto Limon Express (built 2009) to the Blystad Group of Norway for $46m.
The four vessels being sold to MPC Container will continue their charters with German operator Hapag-Lloyd until the second quarter of next year.
Thereafter, they will enter into a new pre-agreed 35-month time charter contracts, plus 12-month options, with a major liner company.
It is unclear whether the charters are with Hapag-Lloyd.
“The transaction underscores our strong competitive position and our ability to acquire attractive vessels and secure long-term employment with top-tier liner companies,” Baack added.
Hapag-Lloyd is currently using the Detroit Express and Livorno Express on its North Europe-West Africa-East Coast South America service, according to Alphaliner.
The Genoa Express and Barcelona Express are deployed on the carrier’s loop between the Mediterranean and Canada.
In 2018, the four vessels were sold to Ocean Yield and leased back on 12-year bareboat deals to companies owned and guaranteed by CMB.
