Seanergy Maritime's charterers are picking up the tab for a $12.5m plan to fit scrubbers for a portion of its capsize fleet.
Five of the Greek shipowner's nine vessels will be outfitted with already-acquired Hyundai Materials technology in the middle of next year at a drydock in China, then hired out to unnamed firms.
"We believe that the significant investment that will be implemented in full cooperation with our charterers represents a balanced and comprehensive approach towards the new environmental regulations scheduled to become effective as of 1 January 2020," said Seanergy chief executive Stamatis Tsantanis.
The 179,000-dwt Partnership (built 2012) and Lordship (built 2010) will be chartered to a "major European utility" for up to four years.
The 170,000-dwt Premiership and Squireship (both built 2010) are headed to a "multinational commodity trading company" for up to five years.
Its 179,000-dwt Championship (built 2011) will be part of a sale and leaseback deal and a five-year charter, with an option for another 18 months.
Last week, several major Greek shipowners complained the coming IMO regulations requiring ships to cut sulfur emissions starting 1 Jan. 2020 was being done too quickly.
They said deals like this one, where charterers are offering to foot the bill for scrubber installation, are few and far between, as most believe there will be enough low sulfur fuel available come 2020.
