The secondhand market for container ships may have slowed down amid sky-high prices but there are still buyers out there willing to pay top dollar for available tonnage.
According to ship management sources and brokers in Athens, Piraeus-based owner Nick Savvas of Cosmoship Management put another remarkable sale under his belt with a $35.4m deal for the 1,740-teu Kalliroe (built 2011).
The buyers of the Chinese-built ship remain unclear. Market sources say it’s neither of the two usual suspects — serial buyers Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) or CMA CGM — but rather a “Eurasian” liner.
Cosmoship has been managing the vessel ever since taking delivery of it as a newbuilding from Guangzhou Wenchong. That is in line with other sales by the Greek owner last year to CMA CGM and Algeria’s CNAN Med Spa.
Market sources say the Kalliroe is currently on a one-year charter earning it about $55,000 per day. It is unclear whether its $35.4m sale price also reflects any outstanding income to be earned under that charter.
Other similar feeder container ships reported sold recently are believed to have changed hands at lower prices. The 1,708-teu A Kibo and A Roku (both built 2008) are said to have fetched about $30m each in separate deals with Chinese and Vietnamese buyers respectively.
Athens brokers reported on Tuesday that the 1,706-teu Songa Ocelot (built 2007) has found a new owner at a price above $30m.
No price tag has yet transpired in another reported deal for the 1,740-teu Ela (built 2012).
