Denmark’s Thornico is keeping on the consolidation trail in the multipurpose sector with the creation of a new alliance with MC-Schiffahrt.
Thorco Projects, Thornico’s joint venture with Lars Rolner’s United Heavy Lift (UHL), has teamed up with the German owner to form a pool with 14 ships.
Thomas Mikkelsen, chief executive of Thorco Projects, said: “We are very pleased that MC-Schiffahrt has shown us this confidence, which needs to be highlighted in today’s shipping scene.
“We have a long and reliable relationship with MC-Schiffahrt over the years so it was natural for us to seize this opportunity to both enhance our collaboration and expand our fleet with the new MCT pool.”
The two companies made the preliminary steps for their cooperation in November.
MC-Schiffahrt controls a fleet of 20 dry cargoships.
Mad Dabelstein, chief executive of MC-Schiffahrt, said: “In the current market it’s crucial to find reliable and well-positioned partners.
“Our vessels fit very well with Thorco Project’s needs and commercially it’s a great advantage for us to be a part of Thorco Project platform. So in many ways it’s a very good match.”
More members to be added
Danish group Thornico joined forces with UHL in September, only a month after it had launched Thorco Bulk, its new dry bulk company.
In December, the company joined another alliance along with Navigia, Feederlines and Peak Group, with 65 vessels under the new venture’s wing.
Thorco Projects and MC-Schiffahrt expect their newly established pool to attract more parties.
Dabelstein said: “It goes without saying, that this step is only the beginning.
“Hopefully the cooperation will lead to further common projects involving but not limited to an increasing amount of vessels being added to this pool.”
Mikkelsen added that the companies have already seen big interest in their new pool.
