having very close relationships with clients in those markets and countries. BBC Chartering is family-owned, with the shareholders being involved in the business, which gives us flexibility and speed to make quick and swift decisions with regards to any major topics. Furthermore, the Briese family continues to invest in the business, for example in newbuildings.
Are you working together with other h/l carriers worldwide or do you work with your own controlled fleet only? We have no ‘fixed’ cooperation with any other carrier, but we will certainly consider working with them for specific projects or cargoes if cooperation can service the clients better. We have a Vessel Sharing Agreement in place with Seaboard Marine for a service from the U.S. to the South America West Coast. COVID-19 is here and as far as one can judge, still for months to come. Has it affected the business of BBC Chartering? Yes, of course. The initial effects were uncertainties about the health of our employees and crew on board, cargo production delays, port closures, moving all staff into home office, etc. Furthermore, the COVID crisis put even more pressure on freight rates and cargo volumes. However, we also had the positive effect of reduced bunker prices to offset some of the negative factors. Today, most of the issues are under control, and we have adjusted to the ‘new normal’. Do you run any liner or semi-liner services currently with fixed or very regular departures for special areas of the world? Yes, we run various semi-liner services, mainly from the U.S. and Europe to the East and West Coast of South America. We also serve most of the East–West and West–East trades and Asia-Australia on an at least monthly basis. We also have various regular services to Russia, including inner-waterways / rivers utilizing pontoons and barges. 210