Interesting times in South America
AEC is very well connected in South America and the continent remains one the group’s most important trading areas.
South America is going through a historical phase of changes. It seems like various countries will sooner or later be ending a long period of left wing governments that have created extremely corrupt public sectors at the cost of the poor people and the countries growth potentials. Whereas the private industry, about two decades ago, started to clean up their act, the entry and the continuation of the left wing governments has unfortunately resulted in horrendous administrations where the focus has been on personal gains rather than growth and proper administration of the countries. The most eye catching countries have been Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela, who are currently all paying the price. Bolivia is of course also on the same ‘list’ but the country has limited influence on the world trade.
Last week Argentina swore in their new President and at least there is faith and hope in the Argentine people’s mind that things can only get better. The President has promised many changes and it remains to be seen whether he can deliver. However, an important step for the country’s exports has been the confirmation of the reductions, and in certain cases the removal, of the export taxes.
Brazil it currently in a very stressed political moment. A possible impeachment of the President is in the cards and it is possible that the ex-president will be prosecuted. Admittedly respectable President candidates currently seem scars but there is at least hope of charges to come.
In Venezuela the result of the recent election also indicated that there might be important changes in sight.
AEC embrace the current South American changes in progress, not necessarily from a politic point of view, but purely in the interest of the regions prosperity.
AEC Runs for Fun
On Saturday, November 28th, 2015 AEC’s CEO along with a team of ten represented AEC at the Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) 13th Annual Fun Run!
Team AEC was the largest group supporter with 11 team members representing the Company but each individual also paid their entrance fee in support of the school.
The event began at 9AM with all members completing the 5-mile course.
The exciting event encouraged participants to walk, jog or run the course which took place around the beautiful Lyford Cay. It was more than just a healthy part of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it was also a fun way to support the community school. Over 150 participants supported the annual event that was sponsored but by local companies and organized LCIS. Over $59,000.- was raised for the Annual Fund at Lyford Cay International School.
Team AEC is already in training for the 2016 Fun Run!
Indira Thompsen – Administration
Wood Pulp in Bales
Wood Pulp in bales where loaded on the open hatch box shaped AEC owned vessel.
AEC Ability II, 37,504 dwt Open Hatch, Box Shaped, Japanese Built
Ideal boxshaped holds with open hatch access
The Golden Gate Passage
Sailing inbound from Asia the MV AEC ABILITY II passed under one of the most historic landmarks in the United States delivering steel coils from Korea. Because of her unique design and box shaped holes this vessel is ideally suited for the steel trade industry and underlining AEC’s niche player position in the Handysize market.
After the steel voyage the he vessel then proceeded towards Vancouver to load woodpulp in bales, another commodity requiring boxshaped holds for delivering this commodity to customers in Italy. AEC is most active in the Atlantic Handysize market so the fast turnaround for this vessel out of the drydock in China and the subsequent fast positioning to the Atlantic is great for AEC’s internal cargo program.
Claas Grafe – Chartering
MV AEC Ability II loads more steels after dry-docking
The Japanese built vessel MV AEC Ability II, 37,504 mt dwat, was taken through a successful Dry-docking and she is now again in an impeccable condition. This finalize the dry-dockings of all AEC’s owned vessels leaving the company with excellent fleet for the cargo program.
MV AEC Ability II is also Double Hull/Open hatch/Box Shaped and like the other vessels she is strengthened for carriage of heavy/high density cargoes, such as steel coils. She is currently carrying steels from the Far East region for the third time this year. The vessel was loaded with Steel Coils in South Korea bound for the USA. On previous voyages she loaded Steel cargoes at South Korean and Japanese ports for discharge in India and South East Asia.
Naresh Khandelwal – Operations
Full Timber load on MV AEC Diligence
The MV AEC Diligence is log fitted meaning that she has is perfect also for loading Timber.
The vessel is currently carrying a full load of timber loaded under and on deck.
Jose Cavalieri – Operations
Female touch in Houston
MV AEC Belief , AEC’s Japanese open hatch/box-shaped 33,500 dwat, was discharging steel coils in Houston and received a female delegation including Elyse Lanier (ex Port of Houston Authority Commissioner and former Houston Major First Lady), Courtney Sarofim, Jenny Kempner and Aliyya Stude accompanied by AEC’s CEO.
The vessel was inspected from Bridge and Engine Room to Bow and the Captain and the crew wished a ‘Bon Voyage’ for the next employment with Bulk Sulphur from Beaumont to Brazil.
Soya Beans loading in Nueva Palmira
AEC is constantly active in South America and an important grain loading port is Nueva Palmira in Uruguay. AEC are performing many shipments from Nueva Palmira and are very comfortable with the local regulations and restrictions.
At end August the Time Chartered vessel, MV CMB Julliette a 33,684 mt DWT geared Bulk Carrier Built 2011, loaded a full cargo of Soya Beans.
Soya loading by spout
The vessel will cross the Atlantic and steam into the Mediterranean to discharge the cargo at Rades, Tunesia.
- Ryan Girling – Chartering
AEC loads Steel Slabs in Brazil
AEC has an extensive network within the South American steel industry. Brazil has for quite some years not exported large volume of steel product, apart from one certain steel plant that was built mainly for export purposes. However, with the weaker Brazilian Real and a decline in the internal Brazilian steel demand more local steel mills have returned to the export market.
AEC’s professional team has been ready to pick up this renewed demand and in August the Time Chartered vessel MV Agatis, a 27,254 dwat, loaded a full cargo of export Steel Slabs.
Night stowage of Steel Slabs
- Anderson Luis da Silva – Chartering