Consolidation in the breakbulk and projects cargo market is continuing with the partnership of Germany's BBC Chartering and US-based Seaboard Marine.
The two partners are coming together in a vessel-sharing agreement on the trades between the US Gulf and the west coast of South America (WCSA).
Consolidation is good if you have a good structure. If you don’t have a structure or the right set up, it’s going to be difficult
Initially, the companies will operate a single string of five multipurpose (MPP) tweendecker vessels of between 17,000 dwt and 25,000 dwt. Three provided by Miami-headquartered Seaboard Marine, an operator of containerships and MPP ships, and two by BBC Chartering, a project cargo and heavylift specialist.
Going bigger
But documents filed with the Federal Maritime Commission in the US show the partners have authorisation to operate up to seven vessels of up to 32,000 dwt.
BBC Chartering chief executive Svend Andersen confirms the move is part of a targeted approach towards consolidation in the MPP sector.
“Consolidation is better than fighting against each other,” he says.
The move is one of several joint ventures and partnerships between BBC Chartering and other players. A year ago, it formed the Global Project Alliance with Dutch heavylift specialist Jumbo.
Andersen believes there will continue to be more consolidation in the projects business.
“And consolidation is good if you have a good structure,” he says. “If you don’t have a structure or the right set up, it’s going to be difficult.”
Separate services
BBC Chartering and Seaboard currently run separate services to the US Gulf and the WCSA. Alphaliner lists Seaboard as operating a standalone service that deploys three MPP cargo vessels of 25,000 dwt chartered from Intership Navigation, part of the Hartmann Group.
The 1,571-teu Seaboard Peru, Seaboard America (both built 2010) and Seaboard Valparaiso (built 2009) have cranes able to lift loads of up to 240 tons in combination.
BBC Chartering operates its own breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo service that connects the US Gulf ports every two weeks to Ecuador, Peru and Chile, using MPP tonnage of 10,000 dwt to 17,000 dwt with lifting capabilities up to 240 tonnes.
Their new vessel-sharing agreement covers services between the US Gulf Coast and Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Gulf Coast of Mexico, Chile, Peru and Ecuador.
