WORLD NEWS CHINA MAN Energy Solutions to supply engines for EPS new-builds
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ew 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 Pacific (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 five 6G70ME-GI Mk 10.5 dual-fuel engines in October 2020 in connection with the construction of five 210 000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carriers, again for EPS,
which will subsequently be chartered to Australian mining giant, BHP, for a period of five 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 significant advantages and demonstrate to the industry that viable options for lowering carbon footprints exist. These vessels will be among the cleanest and most efficient 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
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BA 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 4 . DRY BULK . SUMMER 2021
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 specific 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 diversification 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.
