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NEWS BULLETIN
TANKER SHIPPING
WOMAR WELCOMES CHEMBULK
Chembulk Tankers has placed its entire fleet into commercial pools managed by Womar Logistics. Womar assumed commercial management of the vessels at the end of March, with the transition expected to be complete by the end of May. “Chembulk’s commercial shift to the Womar chemical pools places our quality vessels in an established and growing revenue sharing platform, providing commercial efficiencies, logistics flexibility and a seamless continuation of the performance our customers expect from Chembulk vessels,” says Chembulk CEO Bart Kelleher. “This is an exciting development for Womar as it demonstrates both our focus on growth and our ability to provide solutions for shipowners,” adds Jake Scott, managing partner of Womar’s parent, FDX Offshore. “With this deal, Womar establishes an important footprint here in Connecticut as we seek to expand into new markets.” Hans van der Zijde, CEO of Womar Logistics, says the move is “the first of many major growth initiatives underway” following the acquisition of
Womar by FDX in September 2019. “Womar is hyper-focused on leveraging its stellar existing platform and reputation to build the best-in-class global independent pool player,” he adds. As a result of the arrival of the Chembulk fleet, Womar has established a new unit, Orca Pool, consisting of IMO II chemical tankers in the 32,000 to 37,000-dwt size range. This complements its existing Marida (10,000 to 14,000-dwt) and Stainless (19,000 to 25,000-dwt) pools. It will also open a fifth office in Stamford, Connecticut to expand its coverage in the Americas. chembulktankers.com www.womarpools.com THUN DOUBLES UP
Thun Tankers has ordered a second ‘NaabsaMax’ IMO II product/chemical tanker. The 4,250-dwt design is designed to be “not always afloat but safely aground” and for use in tidal restricted niche ports. As with the first vessel ordered, the new tanker, due for delivery in May 2022, will work under a long-term deal with UK-based Geos Group.
“With two high quality NaabsaMax size tankers we can offer increased flexibility in this niche segment. These tankers will be built to the absolutely latest design, enabling Geos Group Ltd and their clients access to the most efficient and sustainable transport solution available in this segment,” says Joakim Lund, CCO of Thun Tankers. “As a company we are very confident that our long-term partnership with Thun Tankers will provide us with a fleet of versatile tankers to carry on providing our clients with the service that is required,” adds Barry Newton, managing director of Geos Group. “To have two NaabsaMax vessels at our disposal will mean that we are able to grow our position in the market and continue to provide shipping solutions that make us more versatile for our customers, offering flexibility and access to niche ports around the UK, as well as ensuring our fleet is current and at the forefront of design.” The two new ships are being built by Scheepswerf Ferus Smit in the Netherlands, with which the Erik Thun Group has a long-standing relationship spanning more than 35 newbuildings. The first of the pair is due for delivery later this year. thuntankers.com MOL AND NORDIC UNITED
MOL Chemical Tankers has fully integrated the MOL Nordic Tankers operation, acquired in January 2019, into its organisation, with all Nordic business units now renamed and united under the MOL Chemical Tankers brand as MOL Chemical Tankers Europe, MOL Chemical Tankers America and MOL Chemical Tankers Colombia. “Uniting network, activities and resources of the two companies under one brand puts the MOL Chemical Tankers Group in a strong competitive industry position, where we will be able to service an even wider range of customer segments and to expand our commercial and operational activities to the benefit of our
HCB MONTHLY | JUNE 2020
