Koch Industries has emerged as the mystery charterer of the first of eight newcastlemax bulkers owned by Tor Olav Troim's 2020 Bulkers.
Oslo OTC listed 2020 Bulkers revealed a three-year deal for a newbuilding in a comprehensive update on its activities late last week without naming the other party.
Magnus Halvorsen, chief executive of the company, declined to identify the charterer but did say the vessel would be delivered in September to a multinational conglomerate.
2020 Bulkers has seven other newcastlemaxes on order at New Times Shipyard in China for delivery in 2019 and 2020.
The fresh charter is index-linked and capesize brokers say the ship will earn a premium of 30%. There is also a profit sharing arrangement on the savings from the ship having scrubbers.
Brokers say Koch is showing growing interest in taking newcastlemaxes on period charters.
The commodities player also has two similar ships on time charter from Diana Shipping, the 206,000-dwt Philadelphia (built 2012) and the 208,000-dwt San Francisco (built 2017).
It is also suggested that Koch has fixed newcastlemaxes from DryShips, including the 205,000-dwt Judd (built 2015) and the 226,000-dwt Morandi (built 2013).
Koch is also an active charterer of tankers and is reportedly the second-largest privately held business in the US.
