The news that Maersk Tankers has attracted another 11 tankers to its commercially managed fleet indicates the company has amassed a scale that attracts clients
Maersk Tankers has added 11 tankers to its fleet of commercially managed tankers following an agreement with BP Shipping (BP) and ICBC Financial Leasing Co (ICBC). The newcomers are three Suezmax tankers, three MR2 product tankers and five Handy-sized tankers, which were all built in South Korea between 2016 and 2017. Maersk Tankers expects to take delivery of the first vessels in early 2020, with the remaining ones to be delivered throughout the year.
Under the terms of the agreement, Maersk Tankers will take each vessel from the owner under a bareboat charter arrangement, which it will then hire out to BP under a time charter deal for three years.
Maersk Tankers will assume full responsibility for operational risks and the technical management of the vessels.
Maersk Tankers chief asset officer Soren C Meyer said, “We are excited to enter into this agreement and are honoured that two industry leaders have selected us as a trusted partner. With this agreement, we increase our fleet under management to 198 vessels from more than 30 different partners – cementing our strong position within the industry.”
Maersk Tankers chief technical officer Tommy Thomassen commented, “Our technical management services build upon Maersk Tankers’ high safety standards, extensive technical experience and a proven ability to run vessels cost- and fuel-efficiently with a strong emphasis on cutting CO2 emissions. We look forward to leveraging our capabilities and strong operational track-record to manage the vessels in the best interests of both partners.”
In a press release Maersk Tankers noted the company has over nine decades of experience in commercial and technical vessel management. However, the fact that an equally experienced tanker operator such as BP Shipping has placed tankers into Maersk Tankers commercial and technical care is a landmark event, and follows on from Cargill’s recent decision to do the same.
Another interesting aspect is the ease at which Maersk Tankers can absorb new tonnage. There is also the advantage that scale brings: increased market awareness. This was a stated aim of bringing on board a digital transformation specialist. The addition of BP Shipping’s tankers will increase the flow of commercial data, which with Maersk Tankers’ commercial partner CargoMetrics, sharpens the company’s competitive edge. Maersk Tankers continues to demonstrate its pioneering role in the age of digital optimisation.
Maersk Tankers has been nominated for the Tanker Operator of the Year Award at the Tanker Shipping and Trade Conference, Awards and Exhibition. Voting has now closed but you can still purchase a ticket for the Gala Dinner at the above link.
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