Steamers Buys Containership From Gigi Shipping For $20 Million

Steamers Maritime Holdings Ltd., a member of the Keppel Group, has acquired a new containership for about $20 million from Gigi Shipping, a U.S. subsidiary of the Russian Sovcomflot Group, and will charter it to Danish shipping group A.P. Moller.

The new generation, 12,500-dwt RW49-B183 ship had just been delivered to Gigi in April from a Polish shipyard. The vessel has a top speed of 18 knots and is equipped with two 40-ton cranes and 90 reefer points. Classed by Germanischer Lloyd, the vessel is designed for one-man bridge operation. Upon delivery, the ship will commence on a nine-month charter with further options. To be renamed Maersk Miami, she will trade between ports on the east coasts of the U.S. spnd South America.

This is the second vessel acquired by Steamers as part of a major new initiative to invest in container feeder ships for trade in the charter market. In April, the company purchased a six-year-old ship with an existing charter.

Steamers is raising $67 million through a one-for-four rights issue of shares and convertible loan stock to finance company expansion.