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WORLD NEWS

CHINA MAN Energy Solutions to supply engines for EPS new-builds

New Times Shipbuilding Co. Ltd, located in Jiangsu Province, China, has ordered three MAN B&W 6G70ME-GI engines in connection with the construction of three 210 000 DWT bulk carriers for Eastern Pacifi c (EPS), the Singapore-based shipping company. CSSC-MES Diesel (CMD) will build the engines in China, while Rio Tinto – the metals and mining multinational – will charter the vessels upon their entering service. The contract includes an option for three further vessels.

The new order comes shortly after MAN Energy Solutions received an order for fi ve 6G70ME-GI Mk 10.5 dual-fuel engines in October 2020 in connection with the construction of fi ve 210 000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carriers, again for EPS, which will subsequently be chartered to Australian mining giant, BHP, for a period of fi ve years.

Thomas S. Hansen, Head of Promotion and Customer Support, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The ME-GI engine is now the market standard for large, dual-fuel bulk carriers as the value chain in the segment has further increased its focus on decarbonisation. Here, this mature technology’s negligible methane slip and the inherent potential of alternative fuels, such as LNG, are signifi cant advantages and demonstrate to the industry that viable options for lowering carbon footprints exist. These vessels will be among the cleanest and most effi cient in their segment, as well as being IMO 2030-compliant well in advance of the legislation.”

THE NETHERLANDS OBA to further expand its activities through purchase of IGMA

OBA has announced that it intends to enter into an agreement with Cargill regarding the purchase of the IGMA Bulk Terminal in Amsterdam by OBA. The purchase includes all assets relating to the IGMA terminal, including all loading and unloading equipment such as cranes, weighing towers, grabs, and transport systems. The employees of the IGMA terminal would join the OBA team as part of the transaction. The transaction would enable OBA to further optimise its capacity and become the leading, multifunctional dry bulk terminal operator in the Port of Amsterdam.

OBA and Cargill have already presented the proposed purchase to their respective Works Councils for consultation, and the purchase agreement is planned to be signed once such processes have been completed. Following signing, the transaction is expected to be concluded within a few months. The purchase of IGMA will not lead to any forced redundancies at OBA and IGMA.

Managing Director of OBA Jeroen van der Neut commented: “The purchase of IGMA would enable us to accelerate the transformation of OBA by focusing on agricultural products as an important flow for the future. I look forward to welcoming the workforce of IGMA with their extensive knowledge and expertise – following completion of the transaction – and am convinced we will be able to offer our customers an even better service level together.”

Philippa Purser, Group Leader for Cargill’s agricultural supply chain in EMEA, said: “The intended sale of our IGMA dry bulk transhipment terminal in the Port of Amsterdam reflects our efforts to align assets in our portfolio with our business strategy. It’s the right time for Cargill to offer this business and its people further growth opportunity with an organisation that is well equipped and dedicated to this specifi c industry.”

Koen Overtoom, CEO Port of Amsterdam, added: “This development ties in seamlessly with the strategy of the Port of Amsterdam, in improving the sustainability of the business activities and intensifying land use in the port, and further expanding non-fossil cargo flows.”

OBA has traditionally been focused on the storage and transhipment of coal and agricultural products, and several years ago took key steps towards expanding its diversifi cation in dry bulk goods. By means of this purchase, OBA will further implement the transformation of its activities, by focusing on agricultural products as one of the main flows for the future.

The Cargill Agency and IGMA Parcelling Service (IPS) will continue to serve existing and new IGMA/OBA customers after completion of the deal.

WORLD NEWS

DIARY DATES

GEAPS Exchange 2021 06 - 09 August 2021 Ohio, USA www.geapsexchange.com

TOC Europe 07 - 09 September 2021 Rotterdam, the Netherlands www.tocevents-europe.com

MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2021 13 - 15 September 2021 Las Vegas, USA www.minexpo.com

Coaltrans Asia 2021 19 - 21 September 2021 Bali, Indonesia https://www.coaltrans.com/events

BULKEX21 12 - 13 October 2021 Warwickshire, UK www.mhea.co.uk/event/bulkex21/

ADIPEC 2021 15 - 18 November 2021 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates www.adipec.com/exhibition/ about-the-exhibition

AntwerpXL 07 - 09 December 2021 Antwerp, Belgium www.antwerpxl.com

SOLIDS & RECYCLING-TECHNIK Dortmund 16 - 17 February 2022 www.solids-dortmund.de

Posidonia 2022 06 - 10 June 2022 Athens, Greece www.posidonia-events.com

THE NETHERLANDS BulkHandlingMaterials.com provides a solution right off the shelf

For customers looking for heavy duty mobile equipment to move dry bulk products, BulkHandlingMaterials.com is a new arrival to the bulk handling market, and the company is able to offer proven, flexible machines to meet all needs.

There are many machines available to achieve stockpiling, reclaiming, blending, and shiploading on a limited budget. From mobile link conveyors, mobile radial stackers, and hopper-feeder systems to mobile hoppers and Eco hoppers, the emphasis lies in the use of strong, durable equipment which lasts. There are many confi gurations and options available, including different wheel and track options, luffi ng and slewing options, electrical power generation, and hopper in-feed systems.

The systems fi t into standard 40 ft freight containers for transport and are fully mobile, either on their own power or using a front end loader or shovel to tow them. The company fully supports the equipment, and can even erect them on site if necessary.

Albioma, an independent renewable energy producer engaged in the energy transition through biomass, photovoltaic, and geothermal energy, established in Metropolitan France, Overseas France, Mauritius, Brazil, and Turkey, has developed a unique partnership with the sugar industry for the use and combustion of bagasse, a fi brous residue from sugar cane, which signifi cantly contributes to the energy autonomy of the French Overseas islands, by burning bagasse in their energy thermal plants during six months of the year (coal used for the other six months).

Albioma has now begun a new major project at its thermal Plant of Bois Rouge in La Réunion, which will have a signifi cant impact on the environment by converting its existing boilers from bagasse and coal to fully green energy combustion. This plant, which produces more than 20% of the island’s electrical power, will fully give up the coal combustion to replace it by biomass combustion by the end of 2023, and will thereby contribute to increase the renewable energy rate of the total energy mix in La Réunion, from 35% to 51%.

Bedeschi is proud to contribute to such an important transition which marks a crucial milestone for environmental safeguarding and will respect the strictest environmental standards (dust emission, noise level, etc.). Bedeschi’s scope of supply involves Albioma installations at the Port of La Réunion, which will allow the unloading and storage of imported wood pellets from vessels. Bedeschi services are realised on a turnkey basis. They include two eco-hoppers, belt conveyors for transporting wood pellets to the domes of 45 000 m3 each, with a flow capacity of 1200 m3/hr. Moreover, Bedeschi will supply underground conveyor systems with a capacity of 1000 m3/hr to load the trucks. This project confi rms not only Bedeschi’s long-term engagement in environmental safeguarding but also the high competence of its engineering team. Besides the turnkey systems and installation, Bedeschi will also guarantee continuous and prompt fi eld assistance and maintenance to support Albioma in the realisation of the project.

RÉUNION Bedeschi to supply equipment for Albioma’s biomass transition

WORLD NEWS

NORWAY Belships ASA acquires Ultramax bulk carrier

Belships ASA has agreed to acquire a new-building resale fi nanced through a bareboat agreement for 10 years.

The 61 000 DWT Ultramax bulk carrier of Japanese design is expected to be delivered upon completion of construction at a Chinese yard during November 2021 and will be named BELFORCE. The estimated cash breakeven for the vessel upon delivery is approximately US$10 900/d including operational expenses. Belships will pay a sum of US$3.0 million upon signing contract, expected to occur during 2Q21, and which will be fi nanced from available cash. The agreement comes with purchase options signifi cantly below current market values and can be exercised after the third year until the end of the charter. There are no obligations to purchase the vessel. The agreement is conditional upon certain subjects being lifted by the parties involved. Conclusion is expected within June 2021.

Belships is taking over an existing contract for a brand-new vessel soon ready for delivery whilst the orderbook approaches the lowest levels seen in 30 years. This vessel transaction signals the competitive advantage Belships has in sourcing ship fi nance. Belships’ fleet continues to increase and improve with only modest cash investments. Japanese-design Ultramax bulk carriers entering the fleet represent some of the highest quality and lowest fuel consumption vessels available in the market today.

BELFOREST has been fi xed for a time charter contract to a global agricultural corporation for approximately one year at a daily rate of US$21 250/d gross. The contract starts running within the end of May 2021.

“This is another step in expanding and developing Belships. We expect this vessel acquisition to add to the company’s increasingly compelling earnings prospects. Together with the latest time charter contract we believe these agreements will generate outsized returns and contribute to generate distributable income,” said Belships CEO, Lars Christian Skarsgård.

The previously announced sale of BELORIENT has been completed and the vessel has been delivered to its new owners.

Belships has a uniform and modern fleet of bulk carriers well positioned to capitalise on a strong dry bulk market. Five new-buildings are expected to be delivered between August - November 2021, all of which have fi nance arranged.

MEXICO Bruks Siwertell commissions grain handling shipunloader

Bruks Siwertell has recently completed the commissioning of a Siwertell ST 640-M shipunloader for Puertos Especializados Transnacionales PETRA’s (a subsidiary of Grupo Gramosa) new agri-bulk terminal in Veracruz, Mexico. From the outset, the import facility will be able to offer unmatched grain handling and environmental protection capabilities as a result of proven Siwertell screw-type conveying technology.

Originally ordered in 2018 and delivered fully assembled in 2019, the terminal is now complete and, following operator training, its new shipunloader has been brought online. Gramosa chose Siwertell technology because it out-performed all other competitor systems during a four-month selection process; particularly the two 600 tph pneumatic systems it was initially considering.

The analysis showed that a single Siwertell ST 640-M shipunloader would be a more economical solution in the long run. The operating costs comparing two pneumatic unloaders, delivering an equal total capacity, was lower. Also, the Siwertell unloader offered cost savings from reduced berth occupancy as through-ship effi ciency was greater. Furthermore, the quality of grain shipments was also considered.

The new, rail-mounted Siwertell shipunloader is totally enclosed, ensuring a spillage and dust-free operation. It has a continuous rated capacity of 1200 tph and a peak one of 1320 tph, discharging vessels up to 80 000 DWT. The unloader’s seamless flexibility enables it to handle a number of different grains such as corn, soya meal, dried distillers grains (DDG), and canola seeds without any loss of effi ciency.