by Lloyd's List
22 January 2025 (Lloyd's List) - MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Co has concluded the purchase of four secondhand containerships recently during a busy period for the boxship sale and purchase market.
Brokers report the world’s largest containership operator has bought two feedermaxes, one regional feeder and a 6,000 teu post-panamax unit, all since the beginning of the year.
The feedermax ships have been purchased from Hamburg-headquartered Peter Doehle and comprise the 2,546 teu sister vessels Chiquita Farmer (IMO: 9336189) and Independent Spirit (IMO: 9336191).
Both ships were built in China in 2007 for the time charter market and are said to have been bought for around $21m each. The gearless vessels feature a relatively high 536 reefer slots.
MSC has also purchased the B-170-class regional feeder Big Lilly (IMO: 9150406) for a reported $6.5m. The 1999-built ship, which was constructed in Poland for German owners, has been sold by UK-based Mount Street Capital.
In the post-panamax segment MSC has bought the 2000-built, 5,936 teu, Tasman (IMO: 9189342) from Greece-controlled tonnage provider Global Ship Lease. It is one of a series of five vessels built in Germany, originally for P&O Nedlloyd.
MSC purchased sister vessel MSC Tavvishi (IMO: 9189366) in 2020. The remaining three vessels continue to be owned by GSL.
Analyst Alphaliner reports “another busy fortnight” in the sale and purchase market with a raft of transactions concluded or coming to light, with MSC and Chinese shipowners being the most active.
“Just like the charter market, the sale and purchase market will be watching with interest the developments in the Middle East that could influence the direction of the market in the coming months,” said Alphaliner.
It reports that Indonesian liner operator Meratus Line has purchased the 1,577 teu Maersk Wakayama (IMO: 9550357) from Germany’s Briese Schiffahrts. The 2010-built ship is reported to have been sold for $17.5m.
Meanwhile, Turkish liner operator Medkon Lines is said to have purchased the 1,100 teu Contship Med (IMO: 9306249) from Greek non-operating owner Contships Management for circa $7m.
The 2004-built vessel is the ninth containership to have been purchased by Medkon in the past year and is the sixth vessel bought from Contships, according to Alphaliner.
Shipbroker Braemar reports that Greek tonnage provider Euroseas has sold its 1998-built, 2,000 teu, containership Diamantis P. (IMO: 9146314) for $13.2m with prompt delivery. The vessel is understood to have been purchased by Singapore-based owners.
Chinese buyers are understood to have purchased the 2005-built, 1,700 teu Asian Ace (IMO: 9309150) and the 1,100 teu, 2007-built, SOL Singapore (IMO: 9345910). The former vessel realised a price of $9m for its seller. No price was reported for the latter ship.
